Alzheimer's Disease is a common form of dementia with a variety of symptoms. Each symptom can also indicate other disorders, so a professional diagnosis is critical. This chronic, debilitating disease is primarily an affliction of the elderly, but it can strike younger adults as well. Contact a primary care practitioner, geriatrician or psychiatrist for definitive diagnosis and treatment.
Memory Loss
One of the most noticeable symptoms of Alzheimer's disease is memory loss. The patient may repeat questions or simply forget what he has been told. He may forget an event that happened earlier in the day. Unlike simple forgetfulness, the patient with Alzheimer's does not recall the missing information when reminded. Memory of the past may be intact, while memory of what he ate for lunch may be missing.
Disorientation
Disorientation can include forgetting where a car is parked, forgetting her home address or forgetting why she went to the post office. Eventually, she may be not recognize loved ones, her home or even herself.
Difficulty With Word Recall
The Alzheimer's patient may use words incorrectly or search in vain for the word he is trying to use. He may not understand what a "computer," "cat" or "chair" is when instructed to do something.
Difficulty with High-Level Thinking
Mathematics may become difficult, such as being able to pay the monthly bills and manage investments. Problems that involve abstract thinking may be avoided or cause frustration.
Lack of Interest in Usual Activities
The person with Alzheimer's may stop performing activities that she enjoyed for years, such as reading literature or tending a garden. She may find it too difficult or she may simply forget how to do it.
Personality Changes
Some personality changes occur naturally with age, but the person with Alzheimer's may suddenly become irate over something insignificant. He may refuse to go to a birthday party that he ordinarily would enjoy. Conversely, he may begin spending great amounts of time with someone he used to dislike.
Poor Judgment
The person with Alzheimer's may exhibit poor judgment and find herself in an illegal, immoral or otherwise embarrassing situation. She may easily be victimized by a con artist or fall prey to a family member with a sad story.
Depression
Depression and social isolation are common manifestations of the disease process. The depression is partly due to changes in the brain and partly due to no longer pursuing favorite activities or remembering pleasant memories.
Decline in Personal Hygiene
It is not uncommon for the patient with Alzheimer's disease to forget to bathe and groom himself. He may not be appropriately dressed for the event he is attending or for the outdoor weather conditions.
Fearfulness
The person with Alzheimer's disease may appear fearful of her surroundings or the people around her. She may seem frightened to tackle tasks she once performed with competence.
