What is Alzheimer's ?

10 Warning Signs

Though Alzheimer's disease affects everyone differently, and at different rates of progression, there are many common symptoms that have been identified as early markers of the disease.

As we age, our bodies change in ways that can affect our daily level of functioning. Just as our muscles may begin to lose strength and flexibility, or our vision may begin to worsen, so too can we expect to experience changes in the functioning of our brains.

Which is why you should not necessarily be concerned if you find yourself forgetting the occasional word or appointment, or losing your train of thought from time to time. If these events begin to affect your ability to get through your day, or you experience sudden mood or behaviour changes, then it may be a good idea to see your doctor for an assessment.

The following is a list of 10 warning signs that various Alzheimer's societies around the world agree to be good reasons to pay a visit to your doctor.

Memory loss that affects your daily routine

As mentioned above, forgetting the odd appointment, name or phone number from time to time and remembering them later is annoying, but normal. A person with Alzheimer's disease may forget things more frequently and not remember them later, especially when they are more recent events.
Trouble with familiar tasks

Everyone gets distracted once in a while, especially with today's busy lifestyles. Anyone can let the kettle boil dry or leave bread in the toaster all day because of an interruption like a phone call or an unexpected visitor. For a person with Alzheimer's disease, performing daily tasks like these in the kitchen, or many other apparently simple chores that have been familiar to them all their lives, may become a real struggle.
Language problems

Having trouble finding the right word sometimes is something we can all relate to, but a person with Alzheimer's disease may forget simple words or substitute words in conversation, making the meaning difficult to follow.
Disorientation (time or place)

It's normal to forget the day of the week or even where you were going - for a moment or two. But a person with Alzheimer's disease can be confused about time and days on a continual basis, and can get lost on their own street, not knowing how they got there or how to get home.
Poor or worsening judgment

Delaying going to see the doctor with a medical issue like an infection is not terribly good judgment, but not uncommon at all. A person with Alzheimer's disease may exhibit decreased judgment more frequently, such as not recognizing a medical problem that needs attention, or wearing cold-weather clothing on a hot day.
Difficulty with abstract thinking

Not everyone is skilled with tasks that require abstract thinking, such as balancing a cheque book. A person with Alzheimer's disease may have much more difficulty with these types of tasks; for example, not only would they have difficulty balancing a cheque book, they might not even recognize what the numbers in the cheque book mean.
Tendency to misplace things

Misplacing a wallet or keys temporarily happens to everyone once in a while. For a person with Alzheimer's disease, misplacing things may mean putting things in inappropriate places, like putting a cereal box in the freezer, or car keys in the sugar bowl.
Changes or volatility in mood or behaviour

Becoming sad or moody from time to time is just part of being human. Someone with Alzheimer's disease can exhibit varied mood swings, moving from calm to tears to anger, often for no apparent reason.
Unexpected changes in personality

As we age, our personalities can change a bit. But a person with Alzheimer's disease can exhibit more extreme personality changes, such as confusion, suspicion or detachment. Other common personality changes over the course of the disease may include apathy, fearfulness or acting out of character.
Loss of initiative

Who doesn't occasionally tire of housework, business activities or social obligations? But most people regain their initiative. A person with Alzheimer's disease may become very passive and withdrawn, and require cues and prompting to engage.