When it comes to Alzheimer’s disease, there is still plenty that we do not know. What we do know is that it is a brain disease that can affect memory, thinking, and reasoning capabilities in a person. To help with detection, here are early signs and symptoms to take note of.
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Early Signs of Alzheimer's
By understanding what could be going on with someone suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, you will be in a better position to provide care. Understanding these signs or symptoms early can make their daily lives easier to manage in the long term.
Memory
Forgetting recent information is a common sign of the disease early on. Important dates might pass them by, and asking the same questions repeatedly is not uncommon. If your loved one has sudden issues with memory, it could be an early sign of Alzheimer’s.
Problem-Solving
Making errors is normal, but for those who are usually more adept at planning or solving problems, a sudden drop in their performance might be a cause for worry. Numbers may no longer be as easy to deal with, and concentrating on something becomes a more arduous task than before. Daily tasks that were routine can now be challenging to complete.
Confusion
A general confusion of time, dates, and even places may be a sign of early-onset Alzheimer's. Those affected may start to develop issues in understanding when something is happening, how they got to a certain place, or when they got there. Be sure to keep a closer eye if that is the case.
Mood
Perhaps one of the more obvious signs, a sudden mood or personality change, can indicate Alzheimer’s disease. For example, your loved one may start to become more confused than usual, suspicious of everything, in a low mood all the time, or become fearful or anxious.
Judgment
Decision-making and being able to make the right judgment are essential skills for everybody. Sadly, it can be difficult for someone who has Alzheimer’s disease. Poor judgment might become common, and they may start paying less attention to other important things like hygiene and hunger.
Speaking/Writing
Those suffering from Alzheimer's disease might struggle with speaking or writing. Conversations become harder to track, and they may find themselves at a loss or have a tendency to repeat themselves. The same applies to writing, and they may not be able to name familiar objects properly.
Misplacement
Losing items may be a problem for us all, but those potentially suffering from Alzheimer's disease will tend to lose their things more often. They may start to misplace their belongings in all sorts of places, losing them and being unable to trace their steps back.
Spatial Awareness
Alzheimer’s disease can affect vision, which can cause individuals to start having problems with their spatial awareness. Balancing can be difficult, and even judging distances may be more challenging than before. Vision problems are common, creating issues with reading or differentiating between colors and contrast.
Withdrawal
With a likely decrease in memory and the ability to interact socially, a person with Alzheimer’s disease may start to withdraw from people or events they used to enjoy. This can be in the workplace or social activities, even more so when it comes to family.
Conclusion
If you detect some of these early signs in your loved one, it is important to consider seeking medical opinions to ascertain the situation. Early detection and treatment can make a difference to your loved one’s daily care, so it’s important to take action early.
