Doctors at the Cleveland Clinic report that Alzheimer's disease is a slowly progressive disease that often does not provide early warning signs. The disease is a brain disorder that affects memory and thinking and can interrupt daily routines such as eating or bathing. Many of the early signs of Alzheimer's are recognized only in retrospect.
Memory Loss
Patients in the early stages of Alzheimer's have trouble remembering things they were just told and require constant repetition, report doctors at the Mayo Clinic They might forget where they left items or what they are in the middle of doing.
Confusion
Early on, Alzheimer's causes patients to become easily confused and disoriented, often losing direction. They might get lost easily or forget places they often visited.
Thinking
Abstract thinking becomes difficult in the early stages of the disease. Activities such as balancing a checkbook become impossible and frustrating.
Personality Changes
Friends and relatives often notice personality changes in the patient as early signs of Alzheimer's. People who previously were easy-going and friendly might become aggressive, angry or irritable.
Judgment
Judgment becomes impaired early on. People with early signs of Alzheimer's often have trouble understanding the consequences of their actions. They begin to have problems making decisions.
Withdrawal
Social isolation is typical for people in the early stages of the disease as they lose the motivation to interact with people and become passive and unwilling to participate in social events.
