Medical Outlet Lists Warning Signs Of Alzheimer's Disease

Approximately 1 in 3 people over the age of 65 who die have either Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia. Over 5.8 million people in the US currently have Alzheimer's disease, Medicinenet.com reported recently.

Photo Insert: Mood swings, poor judgment, and changes in appearance (poor hygiene, wearing soiled clothing), and confusion about previously commonly-performed tasks are some of the behavior changes seen in Alzheimer’s disease patients.

In early Alzheimer's, memory loss, especially of short-term memories, becomes noticeable. Forgotten recent conversations and repeated similar questions become more frequent.

A change in speech, such as not remembering common words, becomes more noticeable in people with Alzheimer's disease. Although this may happen occasionally with all people, such memory problems become more frequent and progressively worse in Alzheimer's disease patients.

Mood swings, poor judgment, and changes in appearance (poor hygiene, wearing soiled clothing), and confusion about previously commonly-performed tasks are some of the behavior changes seen in Alzheimer’s disease patients, especially as the disease progresses. If there are signs of Alzheimer's in a person, that person should be evaluated by their physician when symptoms first arise.

The doctor can help distinguish Alzheimer's disease from other treatable health problems like thyroid problems or electrolyte imbalances that may cause similar symptoms.

Diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is based on clinical criteria; there is no definitive test currently available for Alzheimer's disease. Mental status tests can help evaluate the patient's mental and memory function. Other blood tests, brain scans (CT, MRI, PET, or SPECT), electroencephalograms (EEGs), and others are used to determine if there are other causes (metabolic, stroke, brain tumor) that could be the source of Alzheimer's disease symptoms. Alzheimer's disease is progressive, but its progression varies from patient to patient.

The average survival time varies from about 3 to 9 years; some patients survive about 20 years with a slow progression of symptoms. To date, there is no definitive way proven to prevent Alzheimer's disease. However, researchers are investigating the effects of mental and physical fitness, diet, and environment on Alzheimer's disease development.

Current studies suggest a heart-healthy diet (a diet rich in fish, nuts, vegetables, fruit, and grains) may help protect the brain from Alzheimer's disease and other problems. Similar studies suggest that people who exercise regularly decrease their risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

WEEKLY FEATURE : MVP Group Keeps Lights On During Pandemic