Alzheimer's disease is a progressive form of dementia that is said to affect more than 5 million Americans. The difference between the early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and signs of normal brain aging is largely a matter of degree. Occasional forgetfulness, memory lapses and difficulty finding the right word to use are all typical age-related changes. But when these symptoms occur often, and in ways that begin to interfere with the ability to live a normal, independent life, they may be early signs of Alzheimer's disease.
Disease Stages
Barry Reisberg, M.D., of the New York University School of Medicine's Silberstein Aging and Dementia Research Center, developed a system of staging the progression of symptoms in Alzheimer's disease that can be used a frame of reference. There are seven stages, from no impairment in stage 1 to very severe decline in stage 7. Through stage 4, symptoms are still relatively mild, and patients are still considered to be in the early phase of disease. As the disease progresses and the symptoms worsen, they move through the final stages.
Memory Loss
As the brain changes, and nerve cells start to deteriorate, some of the first signs of Alzheimer's may be forgetfulness and loss of personal memories. Even in the early stages of Alzheimer's, some people may need help as they start to forget to take care of normal everyday routines such as turning off the stove, locking the door and taking medications.
Confusion
People with Alzheimer's may become oblivious to the passage of time, become confused about where they are or how they got there, feel disoriented even in familiar settings and start to have difficulty performing once-familiar tasks such as driving, playing cards, preparing food or handling personal finances. It may become increasingly difficult to recognize familiar objects, solve simple problems or know what to do in an emergency.
Communication
In the early stages of Alzheimer's, trouble finding the right word, calling people and things by the wrong name or using a descriptive name instead of the word normally used begin to occur more often than usual. These problems make it difficult for someone with Alzheimer's to have a conversation, leading to social withdrawal.
Personality Changes
As the disease sets in, people with Alzheimer's often start to withdraw more and more from social activities because the idea of entertaining or interacting with family and friends becomes too overwhelming. Some other signs are irritability, acting suspicious, anxiety and depression. People with Alzheimer's might also become easily upset when removed from their comfort zone or when a familiar routine is disrupted.
Early Onset
Early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's are not to be confused with the condition of early-onset Alzheimer's disease. The stages and symptoms are similar in both forms of the disease, but early-onset Alzheimer's begins before the age of 65 and has a much stronger genetic link. In other words, if a parent experienced early-onset Alzheimer's disease, the next generation is at high risk not just of Alzheimer's but also of early-onset Alzheimer's. Although rare, early-onset Alzheimer's can begin before age 40.
