An insidious predator that robs its victims of their past, present and future, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is often difficult to recognize in its early stages. The disease affects no two individuals in exactly the same way, and loved ones often dismiss early signs as nothing more than "senior moments." If you are concerned that you won't be able to distinguish AD from the normal signs of aging, a key point to understand is that memory loss that disrupts daily life is not normal.
Diminished Sense of Smell
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have reported that a weakened sense of smell may precede the classical symptoms of AD by several years. This deficit is present in 85 to 90 percent of patients with early-stage disease, although they are more likely to report that their sense of taste, not smell, is diminished. In particular, flavors like coffee, chocolate, pizza and cola become vague and muted because their recognition depends on stimulation of the nerve responsible for smell.
Impaired Short-Term Memory
Memory loss is often the symptom that motivates a first visit to the doctor. In early-stage disease, the person with AD will have difficulty recalling new information and may ask the same question repeatedly. News items and appointments may quickly be forgotten. Interestingly, the remote memory of patients with AD remains intact much longer, and they can often recount the details of distant past events with surprising clarity.
Difficulty Finding Words
Language impairment is an early feature of AD. Typically, problems begin with word-finding difficulties and occasional substitutions of wrong words, such as using the word "sister" instead of "aunt" to describe a personal relationship. As the disease progresses, patients tend to frequently repeat others' words or meaningless phrases.
Impaired Problem-Solving Skills
Problem-solving skills are needed for such a wide range of everyday tasks---everything from balancing a checkbook to retracing one's steps to find a missing pair of eyeglasses. With AD, these abilities become increasingly hampered. When coupled with the loss of concentration that comes with the disease, impaired problem-solving skills can leave the person at risk for home finance missteps, medication errors or worse.
Loss of Directional Sense
The onset of AD often brings confusion over time and place, and such tasks as driving to familiar locations becomes increasingly difficult. The person with AD may lose track of where they are and how they got there, and they may not know how to get home. If your loved one begins to show this type of behavior, you must take the necessary (and often uncomfortable) steps needed to restrict driving and solitary ventures outside the home.
References
- "Seminars in Neurology"; The Olfactory System and Its Disorders; Richard L. Doty; January 2009
- "Seminars in Neurology"; Alzheimer's Disease; Roy Yaari; January 2007
- "Geriatrics & Aging; Assessment of Language Function in Dementia"; David F. Tang-Wai; March 2008
