THE SYMPTOMS OF ALZHEIMER΄S DISEASE

The onset of Alzheimer's disease is usually gradual and itis slowly progressive. Memory problems that family members initially dismiss as"a normal part of aging" are in retrospect noted by the family to bethe first stages of Alzheimer's disease. When memory and other problems withthinking start to consistently affect the usual level of functioning; familiesbegin to suspect that something more than "normal aging" is going on.Problems of memory, particularly for recent events ( short–term memory ) arecommon early in the course of Alzheimer's disease. 

For example :

• The individual may on repeated occasions
• Forget to turn off an iron
• Fail to recall which of the morning's medicines were taken
• Mild personality changes, such as less spontaneity

Apathy

A tendency to withdraw from social interactions

As the disease progresses, problems in abstract thinking andin other intellectual functions develop. For example :

The person may begin to have trouble with figures whenworking on bills

Understanding what is being read

The person may begin to have trouble with organizing theday's work

Disturbances in behavior and appearance may also be seen atthis point, such as :

Agitation, Irritability, Quarrelsomeness, A diminishing ability to dress appropriately

Later in the course of the disorder, affected individualsmay become :

• Confused or disoriented about what month or year it is
• Be unable to describe accurately where they live
• Be unable to name a place being visited
• Be unable to engage in conversation
• Erratic in mood
• Uncooperative
• Lose bladder and bowel control

In late stages of the disease, persons may become totallyincapable of caring for themselves. Death can then follow, perhaps frompneumonia or some other problem that occurs in severely deteriorated states ofhealth. Those who develop the disorder later in life more often die from otherillnesses ( such as heart disease ) rather than as a consequence of Alzheimer'sdisease.

Posted in: alzheimer,health