According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 5.8 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease (the most common form of dementia) as of 2020. “While we enjoy lower rates of cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer than a generation ago, the numbers go in the other direction when it comes to age-related decline.” brain”. says CNN resident brain surgeon Dr. Sanjay Gupta. “Soon there will be a new case of dementia diagnosed every 4 seconds, and it will be the most common neurodegenerative disorder in the country. It’s time to change this trend.” Here are five warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease, according to the CDC. Read on and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure signs you’ve already had COVID.
Memory loss and confusion that become so debilitating that they interrupt daily life may be a symptom of Alzheimer’s disease, doctors say. “In Alzheimer’s disease, the most typical presentation is not just memory loss, but when we get those cues later, it still doesn’t come back to us.” says neurologist James Leverenz, MD. “It’s as if the event or discussion didn’t happen. We all forget things sometimes or we may need some clues to retrieve an event or some kind of specific information from memory. But we worry more when you’ve had a conversation with, say, a parent, and they don’t remember that conversation later and even with clues, they don’t come back to them. That’s one of the things we’re concerned about.”
“We were hearing a lot of stories about patients who didn’t even know they had dementia when some of these adverse financial events were happening.” says Lauren Hersch Nicholas from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “Then the whole family could find out when they lost a house or a business, or suddenly a new scammer was added to other accounts and was taking away their savings.”
“From time to time, people may make questionable decisions, such as putting off going to the doctor when they don’t feel well.” says the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada. “However, a person living with dementia may experience changes in judgment or decision-making, such as not recognizing a medical problem that needs attention or wearing heavy clothing on a hot day.”
Unexplained changes in mood and personality are common early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. “Currently we primarily look for memory problems and other cognitive problems for dementia, but personality changes can often occur several years before cognitive problems.” says James Galvin, M.D.. “Identifying the earliest features of dementia can allow clinicians to start therapy as soon as possible. This will become increasingly important as new, potentially disease-modifying drugs are developed. It also gives the patient and family members more time to plan for progressive decline.
“People with dementia often lose objects as a result of their memory loss,” says UK Alzheimer’s Society “They may lose common items, like glasses or keys, or put an item somewhere to store it and then forget where it is. They may also leave items in unusual places, for example by leaving the remote control in the bathroom or tea bags.” in the fridge.”
If you are concerned about any symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, don’t hesitate to talk with your health care provider. “Best case scenario, you talk to your doctor, do an exam, and find out that everything is fine.” says neuropsychologist Jessica Caldwell, Ph.D.. “Sometimes it can be something treatable like a vitamin deficiency. Or you may find out you have Alzheimer’s, but at least then you’re on the path to treatment and best practices in your life sooner rather than later.”
Ferozan Mast
Ferozan Mast is a science, health, and wellness writer who is passionate about making information backed by science and research accessible to a general audience. read more
