Alzheimers Symptoms

Just what are Alzheimer's symptoms and what is a normal part of aging, or even living? Should you be concerned about forgetting the occasional name, or having trouble thinking of the right word to use sometimes?
As we age we do slow down. We eventually have to give up some of our favorite sports and our stomachs protest at foods we used to love. We can also become forgetful or absent-minded. The question is, when should we be concerned about this absent-mindedness or forgetfulness? It is a very real worry because every year thousands of people are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

There is indicative behaviour that you and your loved ones can look for to see if you need to see a doctor and be tested for AD.

Memory Loss.

Forgetting the occasional name or date isn't a cause for concern. If someone is having trouble remembering things that they learned not to long ago though, that could be a symptom of Alzheimer's. We are not talking long-term memory, but something as simple as when garbage day is.

Communication Problems

The easiest words in the world can sometimes be the hardest for the AD sufferer to remember. They may substitute strange words or gibberish instead. Their handwriting can get sloppy or illegible. Everyone forgets a word sometimes, but if it's done consistently it may be a symptom of early Alzheimer's.

Trouble With Everyday Tasks

This could be a wide range of troubles, such as ringing somebody and then forgetting what the call was about, or maybe getting started making a favorite recipe that they've made many times before and forgetting how it goes halfway through.

Getting Disorientated Or Even Lost

It's very sad, but you can often hear of someone suffering from AD sitting at a bus station because they can't remember where they were going. They can forget how to get home from familiar places, or they can feel disorientated or nervous when they're in a familiar place.

Mood Swings And Changes In Personality.

Mood swings for no apparent reason can be another Alzheimer's symptom. The sufferer could be happy and cheerful, and suddenly become extremely angry over something quite trivial, or something they have imagined has happened.

Someone who has been independent and confident can suddenly become clingy with a family member or suspicious of the mailman or maybe the neighbors.

Impaired Judgment

Wearing a swimsuit in the middle of winter or a thick jacket on a blazing summer's day could be a sign of Alzheimer's disease. Other defective judgment could be thinking that it's okay to dry their socks in the toaster. Not realizing that it is a major safety hazard is a big warning sign.

Trouble With Complex Tasks, Or Doing The Wrong Thing

Having trouble with complicated tasks such as balancing a checkbook or not being. able to play a favorite game can be early Alzheimer's symptoms. So can putting things n the wrong place, such as ice-cream in the oven, or clothes in the dishwasher.

See A Doctor

If you get these Alzheimer's symptoms, or if they show up in a loved one, it means a trip to the doctors. Treatment needs to be started early to do much good, so the earlier a diagnosis is made, the better.