(a quick review of signs and symptoms.... for geezers and those who love them) Memory loss is the symptom everybody worried about Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia seems to focus on. After all, it's distressing -- and increasingly obvious. Yet there are other common symptoms of Alzheimer's or dementia that can turn up even earlier, researchers say. Sometimes, according to memory experts, even doctors miss early dementia signs because they're focused on memory loss to the exclusion of other symptoms. In fact, in 2011 Spanish researchers found that more than a third of adults who go on to develop early-onset Alzheimer's (the kind that appears before age 65) have the following symptoms early in the disease, even before memory loss is apparent. These symptoms can also be the first to appear among adults who develop Alzheimer's after age 65. http://www.caring.com/articles/sign...&utm_content=signs-alzheimers-pre-memory-loss Of course, if you notice any of these symptoms, it's important to have them checked out by a doctor, psychologist, or other expert in cognition and the brain. Early sign of dementia #1: Personality change A warm, friendly loved one may seem to morph into a bit of a grouch -- at first occasionally, and then increasingly. A gregarious person still jokes and talks a lot but begins to say inappropriate things or make odd accusations. A mild-mannered loved one begins cursing. All of these are examples of the kinds of personality changes that can predate memory loss in someone with dementia. Often, it's only later that friends and family look back and realize that behaviors they found off-putting or upsetting weren't intentional but related to the Alzheimer's. Early sign of dementia #2: Problems with executive functioning Trouble carrying out basic, familiar tasks can creep up slowly but surely. The person may, for example, have difficulty doing something that involves multiple steps, like following written directions or instructions. A longtime cook may avoid complicated recipes. A hobbyist may simplify the form of his or her craft. Other hallmark trouble areas: making plans and not following through, whether for a vacation or an activity. Not tracking bills. Not being able to solve simple problems, such as mending a broken piece of machinery he or she could once fix easily. Early sign of dementia #3: Vision problems Problems with depth perception or visual-spatial coordination can precede memory problems. The person may have trouble driving or even walking well without tripping on stairs. It can be hard to judge distances or see contrasts between like colors, which can lead to accidents. In a more severe example of a perception problem, the person may not recognize himself or herself in a mirror or when passing his or her reflection in a building or window on the street. Early sign of dementia #4: Language problems Word retrieval and getting out the right words can become apparent before friends and family notice the more common communication problem of repeating stories or questions. For example the person having trouble may stop in the middle of a sentence, unable to think of the next word. (This can happen to anyone, but when it's a sign of dementia, it happens with alarming frequency, and sometimes the person isn't even aware of doing it.) Or the wrong word may come out -- "mouth cleaner" for "toothbrush" or "picture stick" for "TV remote control." Early sign of dementia #5: Social withdrawal Early in Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, the person is often well aware that something is amiss, even if he or she isn't exactly sure of the source of the problem. It can be frightening to feel that you're not quite in control of your faculties all of the time. This can cause the person to use more and more energy to stay in self-command. That leaves less energy to interact with others. Sometimes the person isn't even aware that he or she seems to be losing interest in friends and family, because he or she is concentrating so hard on just getting through the day. Social withdrawal can also be caused by a desire to avoid embarrassment or by depression -- which often develops alongside dementia.
I have an Aunt and a friend of the family suffering it, is a horrible thing that I would not wish upon anyone
Yep.. I had a white Russian friend in the Abacos who was struck very young (60).. and she was otherwise strong, healthy and beautiful.. It overcame her in 18 months.. I couldn't believe it.
Mouse antibody may stop Alzheimer's... Mice study reveals Alzheimer's antibodies 6 Mar.`12 - British scientists have discovered a type of antibody in mice that blocks a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, offering a potential new route to treatment, according to research published on Tuesday.
I currently have a father in law suffering from Alzheimer's, that disease has changed my entire life and those of my family. Instead of being a normal teen, my wife was stuck home most weekends helping to take care of her father. Her brother couldn't handle the situation emotionally so he went as far away as possible. It has almost destroyed my wife's family. I have been dealing with it for over 8 years and they have been dealing with it for 14 years. My father in law now is in a nursing home, and is in the late stages of the disease. We have spent countless hours at the emergency room and all hours of the night on many different occasion. We have had more fights with the nursing home administration and everybody you can name. What a long and exhausting battle it has been fighting this disease that has taken over a loved one. I wouldn't wish this disease on my worst enemy. We have raised thousands of dollars each year for Alzheimer's research, I hope our money is doing good.
Just posting this for the possible hypochondriac reading this. Keep in mind other things can cause these symptoms such as stress, or hormonal changes such as menopause. In fact many menopausal women have mistaken their symptoms for early alzheimers. Also I'd recommend that older adults have their B12 levels checked as low levels can cause dementia signs and symptoms. This has been medically proven. If it stays low for long enough it is not reversible. I actually think that most cases of dementia/alzheimers are due to this deficiency but this is just by laymens opinion.
Dat's why Uncle Ferd got Granny mowin' the lawn... Any kind of physical activity lowers Alzheimer's risk 17 Apr.`12 - Cleaning house and doing yardwork are taking on new importance. A higher level of physical activity not just exercising is linked to a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's disease even in people over 80, suggests research published Wednesday in the journal Neurology.
Obama leading the fight against Alzheimer's... US adopts revolutionary strategy against Alzheimers Wed, May 16, 2012 - US President Barack Obamas administration adopted a landmark strategy to fight Alzheimers yesterday, setting the clock ticking toward a deadline of 2025 to finally find effective ways to treat, or stall, the mind-destroying disease.
Saddest thing... a co-worker met and married a guy from her church... she's mid 60's, he's early 70's and everyone was so happy they'd found someone to spend their 'golden years' with. Last week, he was diagnosed with alzheimers and she's devastated. She told me yesterday, "You know, an elderly woman I used to work with said she'd never marry late in life because she didn't wanna get stuck taking care of someone. I should've listened to her." How sad... for everybody concerned. They have him on a drug regiment and it seems to be helping. Know how they diagnose alzheimers? By ruling out everything else.
Im sorry for this poor upright woman. Hopefully this man will have enough care support. There should not be any need for this old woman to expend her days struggling to look after this gentleman. But hey Im a lib and a nurse, what do I know. Kudos to you for bringing this subject up.
At the moment, I don't think they can say for sure until the autopsy. I did hear that they might have a test that will say whether you will get the disease or not.
She was desperately hoping something else was causing his forgetfulness, but after reviewing his meds and an MRI, the diagnosis was alzheimers. His mother is still alive... she'll be 101 in August. The combination of longevity and this awful disease is doubly scary... esp if you're his wife & designated caregiver!
Hope for early-onset Alzheimer's patients... Study to test antibody crenezumab for preventing Alzheimer's 15 May`12 The government will launch a first-ever collaborative, multimillion-dollar drug trial to try to prevent a form of Alzheimer's disease, officials said during a two-day research summit at the National Institutes of Health here.
Granny likes munchin' popcorn with her evenin' TV... Popcorn ingredient linked to Alzheimer's Aug. 8,`12 (UPI) -- Diacetyl, a flavoring used to produce the buttery flavor and aroma of microwave popcorn and other food, may be linked to Alzheimer's, U.S. researchers say.
Silver lining to Alzheimer's drug cloud... Studies: Alzheimer drug may stabilize brain plaque A11 Sept.`12 - An experimental drug that failed to stop mental decline in Alzheimer's patients also signaled potential benefit that suggests it might help if given earlier, fuller results of two major studies show.
Uncle Ferd gonna get Granny an appointment... New test could help diagnose Alzheimer's disease in live patients Tuesday, December 18, 2012, The patient turned 40 over the summer and was already having symptoms that made her neurologist wonder whether she had Alzheimer's disease, the deadly, mind-killing dementia that usually attacks far older people.
New brain scan for dementia... Brain scan 'can sort dementia by type' 26 December 2012 - Scientists say they have found a way to distinguish between different types of dementia without the need for invasive tests, like a lumbar puncture.
Uncle Ferd says we gonna have to get Granny some o' dem pills... Beta-blockers 'may lower dementia risk' 7 January 2013 - Beta-blockers slow heart rate to reduce workload and help the heart pump more efficiently
Granny says she don't want nobody smokin' `round her `cause she don't want dey's cigarette smoke drivin' her crazy... Study: Passive Smoking Increases Risk of Dementia January 09, 2013 - A new study in China is the first to show a significant link between second-hand smoke and dementia. So-called passive smoking, inhaling other people's cigarette smoke, is already known to cause heart disease and lung cancer.
People analyzed the last novel of a writer who later died of Alzheimer's and discovered that her vocabulary was far more limited than in her other books. Losing an advanced expertise while still remaining functional by using more common words may be a sign.
Uncle Ferd gonna get one o' dem brainzappers fer Granny fer her b-day... Testing brain pacemakers to zap Alzheimer's damage Jan 20,`13 WASHINGTON (AP) -- It has the makings of a science fiction movie: Zap someone's brain with mild jolts of electricity to try to stave off the creeping memory loss of Alzheimer's disease.
