Understanding Alzheimer's Disease -- Symptoms

Alzheimer's disease refers to changes in the brain that affect how a person functions as they grow older. Oftentimes, the symptoms can be very gradual and maybe missed, especially early on.

The first stage of early Alzheimer's may include loss of recent memories, difficulty with language, difficulty completing familiar tasks in the home, or even signs of depression. It is important in the early phases to rule out other medical conditions such as thyroid problems, medication side effects, Parkinson's disease, or psychiatric causes.

The moderate stage of Alzheimer's can last up to 10 years or you the memory loss becomes worse and people have difficulty functioning in daily life. People may have difficulty with common words, may appear confused, have sleep problems, or become delusional. Sometimes patients will wear the wrong close for the season, have poor judgment, become very aggressive, or have difficulty with walking and coordination.

 The third stage of Alzheimer's is the most severe. People are very confused about the past and present situations. They are no longer able to communicate verbally or process information. Physical problems develop including difficulty eating and loss of bowel control.

Alzheimer's is a disease that is affecting millions of people worldwide every year. Although there is no cure for it, there are medications and counseling that can help patients and their families deal with the issues safely.

If you or someone you care about has any of the above symptoms, schedule a visit with your doctor immediately. It is always best to have a professional go through diagnostic testing and offer you proper advice.