While we often take pride in the kind of scientific developments and technological advancements that we have made there are certain areas where things are still on the back foot. The human brain is as complex as it gets and even though a lot of scientific developments have been made there is still no cure for Signs of Alzheimer’s.
Cure for Signs of Alzheimer’s
This becomes a challenge for the patients that suffer from it and their loved ones who have to take a long and emotional journey for many years ahead. However, Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease and therefore it begins to show itself when the patient is in the mid-30s and 60s.
Let’s take a quick look at the 8 signs of Alzheimer’s that can occur at various levels and stages.
Memory Loss
We all forget things when we are leading a busy lifestyle or in stressful situations. This is completely normal behavior. However, one of the early signs of Alzheimer’s is forgetting recently learned information. This would include forgetting important life events, situations and even dates. Alzheimer’s patients often have to rely on memory aids and reminder notes to help them keep track of what they have to do and important dates and numbers.
Losing Things and Direction
Apart from memory loss, Alzheimer’s patients often forget their things like house and car keys, umbrellas, smartphones and so on. Since they are gradually losing memory they find it hard to recollect where they put their belongings. In many cases, they often lose their sense of direction and wander into areas that they don’t want to. These patients would then need in home dementia care to help manage their household chores.
Poor Judgment
One of the early signs of Alzheimer’s is poor judgment because patients lose their ability to solve and plan things. Hence, they end up making wrong and poor choices that lead to bad consequences. Many patients often have a hard time concentrating on activities that they otherwise would do it quickly. This is quite different from the occasional misjudgment and errors that people with normal behavior make. Many Alzheimer’s patients often make bad financial choices that can lead to financial loss and that can further make them upset.
Mood Swings
As Alzheimer’s progresses, mood swings can make things hard for the loved ones of the patient. Various Alzheimer’s patients have sudden bursts of anger, aggression, restlessness and anxiety. They would use inappropriate language and would be more confused about the situation they are in. Such patients often have less control over what they do and what they say.
Shortened Attention Span
Alzheimer’s patients have very little to no attention span. Hence, they can quickly switch from one topic to another. Similarly, they would not be interested in what you have to say as their brain has very little concentration power. This would further make them depressed and upset at home and in social life. Often Alzheimer’s patients would keep switching TV channels because they quickly lose interest in what they watch on TV or online. However, that is completely different from normal behavior where we browse different channels to decide what we want to watch.
Problems Recognizing Family and Friends
As Alzheimer’s progresses, patients can lose their sense of recognition and that means that they can have a hard time knowing who you are. This also includes recognizing distant relatives and family friends and so on. It is up to the immediate family to tell others about Alzheimer’s disease and how it affects memory, behavior and thinking. This would help you take care of your loved ones the right way.
Loss of Bowel and Bladder Control
Also known as functional incontinence, this is one of the signs of Alzheimer’s where patients cannot get to the toilet because they can’t make quick movements or have no realization that they want to pee. This is mainly because the brain loses the ability to hold the pee or make sudden movements to get the patient to the toilet. This generally occurs in the middle or later stages of Alzheimer’s. Often patients feel embarrassed or guilty of the situation and that can lead to more depression. Hence, these patients need medical care and attention to provide them with the assistance they need to go to the toilet.
Difficulty Eating and Swallowing
Patients that suffer from Alzheimer’s also display signs of being unable to eat and swallow food and drinks. This can further lead to weight loss because they do not get enough nutrition through food or they don’t drink enough water to stay hydrated. In some cases, patients would forget to chew their food. Also, these patients might have a hard time swallowing their food because they cannot utilize their muscles to swallow food. Inability to eat food properly also makes them feel weak and therefore they prefer to rest or sleep most of the time.