Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disease that degrades the brain and affects memory function, thinking, and behavior. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia and its symptoms include gradual loss of memory and impaired mental ability. Alzheimer’s has a severe impact on a patient’s quality of life.

General information about Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease covers up to 60-80% of all dementia diseases worldwide and 5.4 million people suffer from Alzheimer’s in the United States alone. By 2030, the number of people with Alzheimer’s is estimated to increase to 16 million.

The root cause of Alzheimer’s disease is unknown. Certain microscopic changes take place in the brain that damage nerve pathways and brain cells, impairing memory and data processing.

Although the actual cause of Alzheimer’s disease is not known, a variety of risk factors are known that increase the likelihood of developing the disease. The disease seems to be somewhat more common in women than in men, as well as in those with other people with a family history of the disease.

Many lifestyle factors increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

The risk of getting the disease is increased by a lack of education, but on the other hand, activity and brain use would seem to reduce the risk of getting the disease. People with severe depressive episodes during their lifetime and those with severe head injuries are also at increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease in their parents.

In general, Alzheimer’s occurs in people over the age of 65, and in younger people the disease is rare, but not impossible. It is already present in 15-20% of people over the age of 85. Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease slows the progression of the disease, but there is no cure for it yet. It is important to learn to recognize the early symptoms of Alzheimer’s in order to begin planning the appropriate treatment for the patient.

Alzheimer’s disease affects memory

One of the first signs of Alzheimer’s disease, especially in the early stages, is the forgetting of new information, such as important dates and events. The patient may miss a doctor’s appointment, a work appointment, or forget children’s birthdays.

Often, people with early-stage Alzheimer’s have to rely more and more on notes or phone reminders when their own memory no longer works as before.

Problem-solving ability weakens and things become difficult to plan

Some patients lose the ability to plan things or follow plans that involve numbers. Patients may find it difficult to follow prescriptions and prepare food or pay bills each month.

Difficulties in carrying out familiar activities

Often, people with Alzheimer’s face problems while trying to perform daily chores at home and at work that used to be taken care of as if by themselves. The patient may get lost on the way to a familiar place, money management becomes more difficult, and the rules of familiar board games disappear from view.

Confusion in remembering time and place

As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, the patient begins to forget about dates, seasons, and issues related to the passage of time. The patient may recall events that happened decades ago and think they are related to the present.

Observing a confused patient is important because the patient can forget who he or she is and how he or she ended up where he or she is.

Lack of interest in hobbies

Alzheimer’s disease also brings with it emotional changes, and the patient may lose interest in the things and hobbies he or she enjoyed before becoming ill. Social isolation and a sudden loss of interest are signs that something is wrong.

Language problems

Alzheimer’s disease can make it difficult for a patient to participate in and follow discussions. This is due to forgetting words, forgetting the meaning of words, and having difficulty understanding speech and writing.

It is common for a patient not to find the right word to describe familiar things and replace the missing word with other descriptions. For example, the patient may describe the pen as a writing stick.

Forgetting the places of goods

Forgetting the right places for goods is an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease. The patient may put the iron in the refrigerator or forget where to put some familiar object that is usually stored in a certain place.

Making decisions becomes more difficult

Alzheimer’s disease can impair or eliminate a patient’s ability to make personal decisions about things, such as money. The patient does not know how to manage their finances and may give large amounts of money to vendors in their confusion or order anything from telemarketers.

Loss of initiative

Getting involved in familiar things can lose interest, and is often a sign that something is going on. Alzheimer’s often leads to a decrease in initiative, and this is reflected in the disappearance of hobbies, projects, exercise, and social activities from the patient’s life.

In addition, Alzheimer’s can lead to the patient not being interested in participating in anything where they have to meet other people.

Changes in mood or personality

Altered personality or mood swings are clear symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and manifest through the course of the disease.

Often the patient is confused, confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious. In addition, the patient can be easily irritated and easily angry with loved ones.