The 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's
- Severe memory loss.
- Difficulty doing familiar tasks.
- Problems talking or writing.
- Confusion about the time or place.
- Loss of judgment.
- Problems with abstract thinking.
- Misplacing things. People with Alzheimer's might put items in unusual places.
- Changes in mood or behavior.
- Changes in personality.
- Loss of motivation.
We searched a number of authoritative Web sites and publications for a list of things you should be concerned about if you feel your memory is slipping. They all listed the same kinds of things.
- Have difficulty learning new things
- Difficulty making change and handling money in general
- Forgetting things more often than you did last month or last year
- Forgetting how to do things you have been doing for years
- Repeating yourself over and over again
- Inability to remember what happens each day.
Know the signs and stages of Alzheimer's
The Alzheimer's Association identifies the seven stages of Alzheimer's as:
Stage 1: No impairment. The person does not experience any memory problems. An interview with a medical professional does not show any evidence of symptoms.
Stage 2: Very mild decline. The person may feel as if he or she is having memory lapses forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects. But no symptoms can be detected during a medical examination or by friends, family or co-workers.
Stage 3: Mild decline. Friends, family or co-workers begin to notice difficulties. During a detailed medical interview, doctors may be able to detect problems in memory or concentration.
Stage 4: Moderate decline (mild or early stage). At this point, a careful medical interview should be able to detect clear-cut problems, such as forgetfulness of recent events.
Stage 5: Moderately severe decline (moderate or mid-stage). Gaps in memory and thinking are noticeable, and individuals begin to need help with day-to-day activities
Stage 6: Severe decline (moderately severe or mid-stage). Memory continues to worsen, personality changes may take place and individuals need extensive help with daily activities.
Stage 7: Very severe decline (Severe or late stage). In the final stage of this disease, individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, to carry on a conversation and, eventually, to control movement. They may still say words or phrases. At this stage, individuals need help with much of their daily personal care, including eating or using the toilet. They may also lose the ability to smile, to sit without support and to hold their heads up. Reflexes become abnormal. Muscles grow rigid. Swallowing is impaired.
Stage 1: No impairment. The person does not experience any memory problems. An interview with a medical professional does not show any evidence of symptoms.
Stage 2: Very mild decline. The person may feel as if he or she is having memory lapses forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects. But no symptoms can be detected during a medical examination or by friends, family or co-workers.
Stage 3: Mild decline. Friends, family or co-workers begin to notice difficulties. During a detailed medical interview, doctors may be able to detect problems in memory or concentration.
Stage 4: Moderate decline (mild or early stage). At this point, a careful medical interview should be able to detect clear-cut problems, such as forgetfulness of recent events.
Stage 5: Moderately severe decline (moderate or mid-stage). Gaps in memory and thinking are noticeable, and individuals begin to need help with day-to-day activities
Stage 6: Severe decline (moderately severe or mid-stage). Memory continues to worsen, personality changes may take place and individuals need extensive help with daily activities.
Stage 7: Very severe decline (Severe or late stage). In the final stage of this disease, individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, to carry on a conversation and, eventually, to control movement. They may still say words or phrases. At this stage, individuals need help with much of their daily personal care, including eating or using the toilet. They may also lose the ability to smile, to sit without support and to hold their heads up. Reflexes become abnormal. Muscles grow rigid. Swallowing is impaired.
Early diagnosis is beneficial for several reasons
Having an early diagnosis and starting treatment in the early stages of the disease can help preserve function for months to years, even though the underlying disease process cannot be changed. Having an early diagnosis also helps families plan for the future, make living arrangements, take care of financial and legal matters, and develop support networks.
In addition, an early diagnosis can provide greater opportunities for people to get involved in clinical trials. In a clinical trial, scientists test drugs or treatments to see which are most effective and for whom they work best.
People with Alzheimer’s disease, those with MCI, those with a family history of Alzheimer’s, and healthy people with no memory problems and no family history of the disease may be able to take part in clinical trials. Study volunteers help scientists learn about the brain in healthy aging as well as what happens in Alzheimer’s. Results of clinical trials are used to improve prevention and treatment approaches. Participating in clinical trials is an effective way to help in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.
NIA, which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), leads the Federal Government’s research efforts on Alzheimer’s. NIA-supported Alzheimer’s Disease Centers located throughout the United States conduct many clinical trials and carry out a wide range of research, including studies of the causes, diagnosis, and management of Alzheimer’s. NIA also sponsors the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study (ADCS), a consortium of leading researchers throughout the U.S. and Canada who conduct clinical trials on promising Alzheimer’s treatments.
To find out more about Alzheimer’s clinical trials, talk to your health care provider or contact NIA’s ADEAR Center at 1-800-438-4380 or click here.
In addition, an early diagnosis can provide greater opportunities for people to get involved in clinical trials. In a clinical trial, scientists test drugs or treatments to see which are most effective and for whom they work best.
People with Alzheimer’s disease, those with MCI, those with a family history of Alzheimer’s, and healthy people with no memory problems and no family history of the disease may be able to take part in clinical trials. Study volunteers help scientists learn about the brain in healthy aging as well as what happens in Alzheimer’s. Results of clinical trials are used to improve prevention and treatment approaches. Participating in clinical trials is an effective way to help in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.
NIA, which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), leads the Federal Government’s research efforts on Alzheimer’s. NIA-supported Alzheimer’s Disease Centers located throughout the United States conduct many clinical trials and carry out a wide range of research, including studies of the causes, diagnosis, and management of Alzheimer’s. NIA also sponsors the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study (ADCS), a consortium of leading researchers throughout the U.S. and Canada who conduct clinical trials on promising Alzheimer’s treatments.
To find out more about Alzheimer’s clinical trials, talk to your health care provider or contact NIA’s ADEAR Center at 1-800-438-4380 or click here.