According to the Mayo Clinic, Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia in people over the age of 65. While Alzheimer's is not a normal part of aging, nearly five 5 of people between the ages of 65 and 74 are diagnosed with the condition, and more than half of those older than 85 have the disease. The early symptoms of Alzheimer's are a result of brain tissue degeneration that leads to a steady decline in memory and brain function.
Memory Loss
Reduced memory function is one of the first signs of Alzheimer's. The early symptoms often go unnoticed because of the commonality of forgetting simple things like where the car keys were left or when appointments are made. Names may be forgotten more often as the disease progresses. People with early symptoms of Alzheimer's tend to forget things more and more often, including names they never forgot in the past. They may ask for names and instructions to be repeated more often and lose track of everyday objects, which they put in unlikely places.
Thinking Impairment
Abstract thinking becomes more difficult for people in the early stages of Alzheimer's. They may first exhibit difficulty balancing their checkbooks until they eventually cannot work with numbers in any capacity. Solving problems and figuring out their next move becomes increasingly difficult. At first, people in the early stages of the disease have trouble knowing what to do in common situations, such as cooking or shopping. Judgment and decision-making are slowly compromised.
Disorientation
Early symptoms of Alzheimer's often present as disorientation when the patient becomes confused about his surroundings. Patients often lose a sense of time and dates. According to the Alzheimer's Association, visual disorientation results in the inability to interpret the surroundings, making mobility difficult. Patients often bump into things and have trouble navigating rooms. They often get lost, as the images do not register. Researchers at the Alzheimer's Association report that disorientation often develops independent of memory loss and can begin prior to the common signs of memory loss usually associated with the disease.
Personality Changes
In the early stages, people with Alzheimer's display changes in their personality by withdrawing, as they are confused by their feelings and thoughts. They may become depressed or increasingly stubborn. They often become aggressive and fight those trying to help. Irritability and distrust in others are common signs of Alzheimer's. Mood swings become more common as the disease progresses. The Alzheimer's Association reports that an early sign of the disease is apparent when patients become overly anxious when routines are disrupted and become more agitated than normal when out of their comfort zones.
