The Symptoms in Alzheimer's Patients

We always have our eyes open for new treatments that help brain-related diseases and other conditions. For some of these, unfortunately, there simply isn't a cure. Alzheimer's been described as the Great Morbidity of the 21st Century and it currently affects an estimate of 5.8 million Americans. Even tough we have not found a cure for it yet, great medical advances have helped us get closer. A recent study, for instance, found that mice with some Alzheimer’s-like brain plaques were positively impacted when shown flashing lights and clicking sounds.

While we continue to pursue a cure for this deadly disease, here are some of the most common signs to watch out for in those close to us in order to look for the best-suited treatment :

1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life

Perhaps the most common sign of Alzheimer's disease is forgetting recently learned facts during our routine and other information stored in our short-term memory (i.e. a scheduled appointment, the day of the week, etc.).

2. Challenges in planning or solving problems

Some patience experience trouble with problem solving and number (they might find surprisingly difficult to follow a recipe or to complete simple calculations).

3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure

The depreciation of cognitive capabilities in demented patients can also affect the performance of daily, intuitive tasks, such as driving or riding a bike.

4. Confusion with time or place

Patients may lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time and can often forget where they are at a certain moment and how they got there in the first place.

5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships

Some people may present vision problems as a sign of Alzheimers – they might have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast.

6. New problems with words in speaking or writing

People suffering from this disease may have difficulty following or joining a conversation. You might note them stoping in the middle of a sentence or repeating themselves.

7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps

Patients may place their belonging in unusual places as they forget their normal place, and sometimes might accuse someone of stealing, which may happen more often over time.

8. Decreased or poor judgment

Patients may experience changes in judgment or decision-making – they will have difficulty handling money and pay less and less attention to their personal grooming.

9. Withdrawal from work or social activities

A person with Alzheimer's may remove themselves from their social circles, becoming increasingly recluse. Other around them might misjudge them as a sign of depression.

10. Changes in mood and personality

Patients may experience changes in their moods and personality, and can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious.

If you have someone in your family or close to you that might be experiencing some of these symptoms, you can look for the Alzheimer's Association, which is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Their Northern California and Northern Nevada chapter for people living in San Francisco.