10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease

• Alzheimer’s disease usually begins with becoming more forgetful than usual and, if left untreated at this stage due to underestimating the issue, the disease could worsen to the extent that severely impacts the daily life of the sufferer.
• People with a family history of Alzheimer’s disease are at a high risk of developing the condition. However, if they take good care of their health, they are able to reduce their chances of contracting the disease by up to 32% when compared to those who do not.
• There are still no treatments capable of curing Alzheimer’s disease, meaning that care is mostly aimed at easing the disease’s symptoms to enable a better quality of life for the sufferer, and enable patients to live an independent life through medication. This means that they must also make the proper lifestyle adjustments, including careful management of any other health disorders they may be suffering from.

Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that constitutes up to 60-80% of dementia’s sufferers. The condition occurs as a result of brain cell damage or malfunction, leading to the brain being unable to work at full capacity. If left untreated, the deterioration will increase in severity, eventually reducing the sufferer’s ability to lead a normal life.

The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease gradually deteriorate over a number of years, but can usually be categorized into the following 3 main stages:

1. Early-stage symptoms
   Symptoms tend to begin with patients becoming increasingly forgetful, often being unable to remember things they have just said or events that happened recently. They may repeat their speech and actions, including asking the same question multiple times. Additionally, sufferers may become hesitant, sometimes being incapable of making simple decisions, as well as become increasingly anxious, afraid and prone to mood swings.
2. Middle-stage symptoms
   In cases where the aforementioned initial symptoms are left unchecked due to patients mistakenly believing that nothing is wrong, the symptoms may deteriorate to the extend the sufferer cannot even remember the names of the people they know or differentiate between close family members. Patients at this stage of the disease may also become easily confused, often forgetting which day of the week it is, finding it hard to sleep and, most commonly, losing their way when trying to make it home. Symptoms of this stage can result in patients experiencing severe mood swings or becoming depressed.
3. Late-stage symptoms
   The most serious stage during which patients may suffer hallucinations, becoming increasingly dependent on others or displaying aggressive tendencies. There are also physical symptoms, including having difficulties chewing and swallowing food, moving slowly or being unable to walk altogether. Patients may also suffer from incontinence due to reduced muscle function and daily activities will become impossible, meaning they must rely on others to perform previously simple tasks, such as showering or eating.

1. Forgetfulness that impacts daily life. For instance, forgetting recent events, forgetting which day of the week it is or forgetting important events, meaning that they repeatedly ask the same questions, relying on other cues to stimulate memory function, such as notebooks or family members.
2. Losing the ability to plan or find solutions for problems that arise in their daily life. For example, being incapable of working logically, as well as forgetting the processes involved with tasks such as visiting the bank or driving.
3. Finding it difficult to undertake previously familiar tasks, be they at home, at work or during the holidays, including not being able to remember how to get somewhere they regularly visit or forgetting the rules to sports that they have always previously played without issue.
4. Momentarily becoming confused about time or location, including being unable to remember what season it is, what day of the week it is, and what time of the day it is. They may also forget where they live or be unable to make their way home easily. 
5. Experiencing difficulties in interpreting images and making connections between pictures they see. Examples include finding it hard to comprehend a book they are reading, having difficulty estimating distance correctly, trying to place objects on a table but dropping them short of their intended spot, and having difficulties differentiating between colors.
6. Having trouble finding or using the right words when speaking or writing, including frequently pausing during conversations and not being able to continue, as well as repeating the same words or phrases over and over again.
7. Misplacing objects and being unable to locate them again later, for instance, placing a pair of shoes in the refrigerator.
8. A reduction or complete loss of decision making capabilities, for example, not being able to decide what to do, including not brushing their hair or bathing before important events.
9. Withdrawing from activities that were previously appealing, such as being into sports and enjoying meeting up regularly with friends but then one day deciding not to do so anymore for no apparent reason. 
10. Experiencing emotional and personality changes, for instance, feeling more confused, anxious or afraid.

If you experience any one of these symptoms, it is recommended that you consult a specialist in the field to ensure early detection of Alzheimer’s disease which could enable effective treatment to take place thereafter, as well as allow you to make sufficient plans for your future.

A 2019 meeting of the International Alzheimer’s Association in Los Angeles concluded that leading a healthy lifestyle can be highly beneficial to brain health, thereby reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other degenerative brain disorders. A healthy lifestyle in this regard includes adhering to the following advice:

• Eating a healthy diet, full of foods that can benefit both the brain and body
• Not smoking or drinking alcohol
• Exercising regularly
• Taking part in activities that stimulate brain function

Two research pieces shared at the same meeting indicated that paying special care to health or making health-based lifestyle modifications could reduce a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
One of the studies concluded that people genetically predisposed to Alzheimer’s disease are categorized at high risk. However, in cases where careful consideration is given to maintaining good health, the subsequent risk of Alzheimer’s disease onset can be reduced by up to 32% when compared to those who do not pay close attention to their health.

The second study established a connection between residing in areas with high air pollution levels and a heightened risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Moreover, the study found that older women who tended to exercise their brains regularly, using them to their full potential (meaning they scored highly on tests associated with brain function, studying, work responsibilities and physical therapy activities) were a mere 21% more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease in old age. This differed greatly from those who were not regularly utilizing their brain and thinking skills, who had a massive 113% more chance of developing the disease.

There are currently no treatments available capable of completely eradicating Alzheimer’s disease. Any treatment is usually aimed at easing the patient’s symptoms in order to ensure they can remain independent. Such treatment often involves prescribing Acetylcholinesterase medication, which can reduce further brain cell damage. In addition to the medication, patients should make lifestyle modifications, including carefully managing any other health disorders they may be suffering from, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol.