Early Alzheimer's Symptoms

Alzheimer's disease is one of the dementia illnesses, those that have to do with the loss of cognitive abilities and memory. Alzheimer's disease is progressive and currently has no cure. However, detection in early stages allows for treatment that may slow disease progression.

Causes of Alzheimer's Disease

• No definite source has been identified that can clearly be credited with causing Alzheimer's disease. Current belief is that a combination of factors probably contribute to its cause. Heredity and environmental causes such as head trauma or diet may also be factors that increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Stages 1 through 3

• Stages 1 through 3 are considered early Alzheimer's disease. The first stage of Alzheimer's is when the individual can still function normally and nothing is detected by medical professionals. The second stage is when the patient begins to show memory lapses, which may not be apparent to family and coworkers. In stage 3, the difficulties become slightly more noticeable and in some cases diagnosis can be made.

Stage 4

• Stage 4 is identifiable by medical professionals. Memory loss of some personal history, complex math and planning of multi-step functions is greatly impaired. The individual may become sullen and withdrawn, especially in mentally challenging or social situations.

Memory Loss

• Memory loss pertaining to things recently learned is the first possible sign of Alzheimer's. With age, it is normal to experience some memory loss. Forgetting things such as names or appointments from time to time is common and not necessarily a symptom. Another possible sign of Alzheimer's is the inability to remember steps in everyday tasks such as preparing meals or making phone calls. Forgetting what you came into a room for or what you intended to say are common to everyone and not necessarily indicative of Alzheimer's disease. Language can be impacted when words are forgotten and substituted with unusual or less clearly defined words.

Disorientation

• Often people will become lost in familiar places such as their own neighborhoods. They may not recall how they arrived somewhere or the way to get home. They may not recognize where they are. Similar symptoms of forgetting what day it is or where you were going are not symptoms of Alzheimer's. People with Alzheimer's disease may show poor judgment by wearing too many clothes on a warm day or too little in cooler weather. They may give away money or personal effects to strangers or salespeople. This should not be confused with making the occasional bad decision.