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  |  General Health  |  Diseases and conditions  |  Alzheimer's disease explained
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Alzheimer's disease explained

continued from page 1

Symptoms
For some individuals, early symptoms like forgetfulness, difficulty using or remembering words and difficulty concentrating get mistaken for what many people consider "natural" symptoms of aging. But in Alzheimer's they will get worse over time. The short-term memory problems that trouble many people as they age don't progress to more serious symptoms.

The severity and progression of AD symptoms do not follow any pattern; some people have AD only for the last five years of their life, while others may live with it for as many as 20 years.

Mild symptoms include:

  • Confusion and memory loss
  • Personality changes
  • Judgment problems
  • Difficulties with routine tasks
  • Getting lost or disoriented in familiar places

    Moderate symptoms include:

  • Difficulty with personal care such as bathing and dressing
  • Anxiety, agitation and paranoia
  • Insomnia or sleep disturbances
  • Wandering and pacing
  • Trouble with or inability to recognise familiar faces

    Severe symptoms include:

  • Loss of speech
  • Loss of appetite
  • Loss of bladder and bowel control
  • Complete dependence on caregiver

    Diagnosis
    There is no simple, single test used to diagnose AD. Although healthcare professionals skilled in treating people with Alzheimer's can diagnose "probable" Alzheimer's, the only definitive way of identifying Alzheimer's is to look at a piece of brain tissue under a microscope during an autopsy. Surgery is considered too high risk an option for diagnosis.

    Warning signs

  • Memory loss: frequent forgetfulness or unexplainable confusion
  • Difficulty performing familiar tasks such as not being able to remember how to brush teeth
  • Language problems: forgetting common and simple words
  • Disorientation, like getting lost frequently in familiar places
  • Poor or decreased judgment, such as wearing pyjamas to the supermarket
  • Performing basic calculations that were once a common task is now sometimes impossible
  • Misplacing things
  • Changes in mood or behaviour and personality changes
  • Loss of initiative: someone may lose interest in one or more of their usual interests


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    This iVillage Health service area is designed for educational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for personal medical attention, diagnosis or hands-on treatment. If you are concerned about your health or that of a child, please consult your family's health provider immediately and do not wait for a response from our professionals. For the full Disclaimer, click here.
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