Alzheimer's disease is a neurological disorder caused by degeneration of brain cells. As the disease progresses, it presents with symptoms of memory loss and reduced cognitive functioning.
Certain changes in behavior can be explained by lifestyle choices, stress, or other environmental factors. However, if a spouse suspects early symptoms of Alzheimer's, an early diagnosis will help to increase safety and quality of life for themselves and their loved one.
The National Institute on Aging reports, "In mild AD, a person may seem to be healthy but is actually having more and more trouble making sense of the world around him or her. The realization that something is wrong often comes gradually to the person and his or her family. Accepting these signs as something other than normal and deciding to go for diagnostic tests can be a big hurdle for people and families."
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Here are some warning signs of early onset Alzheimer's disease that loved ones should not ignore:
1. Memory loss that is not related to environmental factors. While everyone forgets names, facts, figures and even directions, if a loved one is forgetting something that just happened or something they just said, this may be an early symptom of Alzheimer's.
2. It is fairly common to misplace car keys or cell phones because they are constantly moved to a different place. However, in early onset Alzheimer's, even personal belongings like a toothbrush or favorite jacket may seem to be misplaced — even if they are right where the person left them.
3. Disorientation can be disconcerting as places that are familiar suddenly become unknown resulting in a feeling of being "lost." Another form of this disorientation symptom occurs when objects are placed in illogical locations, such as a book in the refrigerator.
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4. Issues with simple communication can result in a high frustration level between a healthy spouse and one with early onset Alzheimer's. Simple household words may become difficult to recall, sentence formation may lack clarity and the expression of complicated ideas difficult.
5. Difficulty performing simple tasks. An early onset Alzheimer's symptom is when what used to be rote behavior becomes time consuming and complicated. For example, getting dressed for work, paying bills, keeping to a schedule, and household chores.
6. As Alzheimer's progresses, agitation and mood swings can be a real source of concern.
According to Health, "It's common for someone suffering from AD to seem anxious or agitated. They may constantly move around and pace, get upset in certain places, or become fixated on specific details. Agitation usually results from fear, confusion, fatigue, and feeling overwhelmed from trying to make sense of a world that no longer makes sense."
This article is for information only and is not intended as medical advice. Talk with your doctor about your specific health and medical needs.
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