Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, which refers to a group of brain disorders that cause problems with thinking, reasoning, judgment, and memory.
Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that usually starts with mild memory loss and can eventually lead to problems severe enough to interfere with a person’s daily activities and independence.
Signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s are usually mild to begin with, and slowly and progressively worsen.
Seven early signs of mild Alzheimer’s disease may include:
- Forgetfulness/memory loss
- Difficulty reasoning or problem-solving
- Confusion about times or places
- Problems with language, such as being unable to find the right words for things
- Losing things
- Poor judgment
- Mood and personality changes
Other early signs of mild Alzheimer’s disease may include:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Repeating questions
- Problems with everyday tasks such as paying bills or balancing a checkbook
- Increased anxiety and/or aggression
As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, symptoms of moderate Alzheimer’s may include:
- Increased memory loss and confusion
- Episodes of anger or aggression
- Restlessness, agitation, anxiety, tearfulness, wandering
- Depression
- Difficulty with language, reading, writing, and working with numbers
- Problems with logic
- Inability to learn new things
- Shortened attention span
- Difficulty performing tasks that require several steps, such as getting dressed
- Difficulty coping with new situations
- Inability to recognize family and friends
- Impulsive behaviors
- Repeating words or movements, muscle twitches
- Loss of interest in surroundings (apathy)
- Disorientation
- Paranoia
- Seeing things that aren't there (hallucinations)
- Believing things that aren't true (delusions)
Symptoms of severe Alzheimer’s disease may include:
- Inability to communicate
- Inability to eat, bathe, dress, or perform other everyday tasks
- Increased sleeping
- Loss of bladder and bowel control (incontinence)
- Weight loss
- Groaning, moaning, or grunting
- Seizures
- Skin infections
- Difficulty swallowing
What Is the Treatment for Alzheimer's?
Alzheimer’s disease does not currently have a cure and there is no single treatment for the condition.
Treatment for Alzheimer’s disease includes:
- Medications
- To help maintain mental function
- Behavioral therapy to manage behavioral problems
- Changing the person's environment
- Regular exercise
- Avoiding triggers that cause sadness
- Socializing with others
- Engaging in pleasant activities that the person enjoys
- Managing depression
- Behavioral therapy
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants
- Managing sleep problems
- May be treated with medications
- Behavior changes
- Managing aggression
- Determine what triggers the aggression
- Strategies for family members to help lessen triggers and confrontations
- May be treated with therapy or medication, depending on the cause
- Managing safety issues
- People with Alzheimer’s disease often fall and hurt themselves
- Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes
- Hide loose wires or electrical cords
- Secure loose rugs or use non-skid backing on rugs
- Maintain well-lit walkways
- People with Alzheimer’s disease often fall and hurt themselves
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https://www.uptodate.com/contents/dementia-including-alzheimer-disease-beyond-the-basics?search=Dementia&source=search_result&selectedTitle=5~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=5
https://www.fhca.org/members/qi/clinadmin/global.pdf
https://www.cdc.gov/aging/aginginfo/alzheimers.htm
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-disease-fact-sheet