Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most upsetting challenges to meet with in your later years. It is a horrible thought that you can lose your mind before you lose your body, and many people are simply not prepared to accept that destiny. However, it’s more than just dementia that you have to fear with Alzheimer’s. This progressive disorder of the brain ranks sixth among diseases that lead to death, thanks to the secondary infections frequent among sufferers. As a mental health disorder, Alzheimer’s deserves serious pre-emptive action.
Alzheimer’s and its main symptom, dementia, are often thought of as common and unavoidable features of the aging process. However, its effect on the quality of life and wellbeing of the sufferer is colossal, and deserves as early attention as possible. Educate yourself about the early signs of Alzheimer’s and you may be able to help someone close to you.
Repetition – this tell-tale sign of Alzheimer’s should be carefully watched out for. The patient may tell the same story repeatedly, or show signs of a mental obsession by repeatedly asking the same question.
Memory Loss – it is common for the short-term memory to suffer, while older memories are brought up-to-date. In extreme cases, the patient may not recognise their own son, but might keep asking for a parent or grandparent fifty years dead.
Language Difficulty – short-term memory loss and confusion can have a significant effect on linguistic ability. Affected individuals may forget even the most common words, and full communication breakdown can take place as they fail to be able to express their ideas.
Mood swings – this common sign of Alzheimer’s often results in what seems like extreme personality change. Patients can oscillate between joy, anger and sadness and display sudden changes in emotion when there seems no external cause for their outburst. At its worst extent, this tendency may manifest as paranoia towards people they previously trusted.
Confusion – patients can suddenly become disorientated, even in places they previously knew well. Similarly, they may lose a sense of how to perform even the most mundane tasks, such as those relating to personal hygiene.
If you observe any of these early signs of Alzheimer’s disease, you should seek medical advice immediately. Early detection of the disease is sure to help the patient by getting the most out of available treatments. Catching Alzheimer’s at an early stage ensures that your loved one can maintain their wellness for longer.
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