Early Stage Alzheimer's Disease

In September 2009, there were more than 5.3 million Americans living with Alzheimer's disease, which is the most common type of dementia. In fact, of all dementia cases, Alzheimer's claims 50 to 70 percent of them. In its initial phase, the disease begins to strip the person's personality and their ability to think, know and coordinate. By recognizing the signs of early Alzheimer's, the patient and their families can take action before the symptoms become severe.

Stages

• There are three stages of Alzheimer's disease. Stage one is early or mild Alzheimer's, stage two is moderate and stage three is moderately severe.

Time Frame

• The early stage of Alzheimer's can last as long as two to four years before it progresses to stage two.

Signs And Symptoms

• Although people experience the early stages of Alzheimer's differently, there are routine signs to look for. When a person constantly forgets about important things or forgets how to do something they just learned, then you may have cause for worry. If the person has difficulty completing familiar tasks or knowing what to do in an emergency, then this is another reason for concern. People in the early stages of Alzheimer's sometimes can become lost, even in their own neighborhood.

  People suffering from early Alzheimer's may exhibit sudden changes in behavior, such as loss of interest in a hobby they were once passionate about. Another sign of early Alzheimer's is when the person starts putting things in strange places--putting the car keys in the oven or the mail in the refrigerator, for example.

Treatment And Prevention

• As of September 2009, scientists were still searching for a cure for Alzheimer's. Nevertheless, they do have medication that will help slow its progression. Some of the FDA-approved medications for moderate Alzheimer's are Razadyne, Exelon (rivastigmine) and Aricept (donepezil). For patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's, doctors may prescribe Namenda (memantine) or Aricept. They also have discovered ways that may prevent you from getting this disease, like taking folate or engaging your mind in activities to give it some exercise.

Considerations

• If you suspect your loved one has early Alzheimer's, then it is important to have them checked by a doctor. If you catch it early enough, you will still have enough time to prepare for the financial burden that is going to come. Furthermore, it is a good idea to get your loved one's legal documents in order at this time. You also can prepare for medical issues, find the right doctors and research nursing homes. By doing this during the early stages of Alzheimer's, you will have an easier time coping with the disease when it progresses.