Affinity Health, a leading provider of high-quality health coverage, explores the early signs of Alzheimer’s in light of World Alzheimer’s Day on 21 September.
“Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive condition, meaning it gradually gets worse over time. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, it starts with mild memory issues and can develop into serious challenges that affect daily activities, impacting the lives of those living with the disease as well as their caregivers,” says Murray Hewlett, CEO of Affinity Health.
“While there is no cure, early detection can help manage symptoms.”
Is Alzheimer’s The Same As Dementia?
Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are related but not the same. Dementia is a broad term that refers to a decline in thinking and memory skills. It happens when brain cells are damaged, which disrupts how they communicate with each other.
Factors contributing to dementia include severe head injuries, infections, and vitamin deficiencies. However, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of cases.
Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease
Before delving into the early signs, it’s important to understand that Alzheimer’s is not typical for ageing. While age is the most significant known risk factor, Alzheimer’s is a specific disease that causes clinical changes in the brain. The disease starts when harmful proteins build up in the brain, forming clumps and tangles.
These proteins can damage the brain cells, which stop working properly and eventually die. This damage often begins in the part of the brain that handles memory.
As Alzheimer’s worsens, it spreads to other parts of the brain. Extensive cell loss results in significant brain shrinkage, affecting nearly all brain functions.
10 Early Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease
- Memory Loss That Disrupts Daily Life
One of the most common early signs of Alzheimer’s is forgetting recently learned information. While it’s expected that people with Alzheimer’s will occasionally forget names or appointments and remember them later, they often forget important dates or events and ask the same questions repeatedly.
- Challenges in Planning or Solving Problems
Sometimes, people with early Alzheimer’s struggle to organise information and steps in the correct order. They might need help following a familiar recipe, struggle to manage monthly bills and take much longer to do tasks they used to handle easily.
- Difficulty Completing Familiar Tasks
They might need to remember how to do routine tasks like driving, turning off the oven, stove, or other household appliances, eating, bathing, brushing their teeth, or changing clothes.
- Confusion with Time or Place
People with the disease might struggle to remember important dates, like birthdays or anniversaries, and may have difficulty recognising the current season or understanding how much time has passed.
- Vision Problems and Spatial Relationships
Vision changes can occur. These changes aren’t about needing new glasses but rather how the brain processes what the eyes see. Judging distances becomes tricky, making it hard to navigate stairs or park a car. As a result, distinguishing between colours or noticing contrast becomes challenging, and depth perception may worsen, leading to balance problems.
- Problems with Speaking or Writing
In most cases, people with Alzheimer’s battle to follow or participate in conversations. They may suddenly stop mid-sentence and struggle to find the right words.
- Decreased or Poor Judgment
Alzheimer’s can affect a person’s financial decision-making capabilities. They might give away large amounts of money or make unnecessary purchases.
- Changes in Mood and Personality
It’s common for people with this disease to experience changes in their mood and personality. They may feel confused, suspicious, sad, fearful, or anxious. These emotions can make them easily upset, making it challenging for them and their loved ones to cope.
- Withdrawal from Work or Social Activities
People with early Alzheimer’s may start to withdraw from hobbies, social activities, work projects, or sports they once enjoyed. They may also avoid being social because of the changes they’ve experienced.
- Changes in Sense of Smell and Taste
In the early stages of the disease, damage to brain areas that process smell and taste (such as the olfactory bulb, olfactory cortex, temporal lobe, hippocampus, and gustatory cortex) can lead to changes in these senses8. This damage makes it hard to recognise smells and tastes.
What to Do If You Notice These Signs
If you notice a few of these signs in yourself or someone close to you, it’s best not to brush them off. Book an appointment with your doctor as soon as you can. While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, getting a diagnosis early on gives you the best chance at getting treatment and planning for what’s ahead.
Plus, if someone knows they have Alzheimer’s early on, they might be able to join research studies. These studies not only help scientists learn more about the disease but might also offer some health benefits to the people taking part.
Supporting Those with Alzheimer’s
If someone close to you has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, remember that your support can make a significant difference in their life. Here are some ways you can help:
Educate Yourself: Learn about the disease and how it progresses to understand better what your loved one is going through.
Be Patient: Remember that the disease causes the behaviour, not the person. Patience and understanding are key.
Assist with Daily Tasks: Help with everyday activities while encouraging independence.
Ensure a Safe Environment: Make necessary modifications to prevent accidents and ease navigation at home.
Encourage Social Interaction: Help maintain connections with friends and family, which can benefit cognitive function.
Take Care of Yourself: Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s can be challenging. Don’t forget to look after your own physical and emotional health.
Conclusion
As we commemorate World Alzheimer’s Day, let’s commit to increasing our understanding of this disease and its early signs. By recognising these signs early, we can take proactive steps towards diagnosis, treatment, and support. Remember, while Alzheimer’s presents significant challenges, many people with the disease live meaningful and productive lives for years after their diagnosis.