Alzheimer's Stages and Symptoms

Alzheimer's disease is a severe brain disorder and the most widespread type of dementia. It affects an individual's daily life by causing memory loss as well as cognitive changes. Unfortunately, Alzheimer's disease has no cure and will get only worse, ultimately resulting in death. While Alzheimer's begins with simple absentmindedness, it will eventually destroy the brain and its ability to learn, remember and reason.

Significance

• When Alzheimer's disease first begins, it is common for people to wonder if it is simple forgetfulness that accompanies old age. The difference is usually that a senior might forget parts of a simple conversation, but someone that is developing Alzheimer's might forget the entire conversation.

Mild

• There are three basic stages: mild, moderate and, finally, severe. The mildest stage will normally last from two to four years. It is likely that an individual will experience memory loss from recent events as opposed to those that happened longer ago. It is common for them to ask the same questions repeatedly. Writing might become very challenging during this time, and using objects that are part of everyday life can become very difficult, such as a fork or a hairbrush. They will likely become lazy, lack interest and become depressed. There are usually personality changes.

Moderate

• By this time the memory loss is all-encompassing and unrelenting, affecting all aspects of life. The ability to cover the insidious disease is no longer possible. Speech is confused, there is abnormal reasoning, and uncertainty about places and times have all surfaced. It is likely that they will become lost in places that are very familiar, experience disturbances in sleep, and may have behavioral problems. This stage can last up to 10 years.

Severe

• In the severe stages of Alzheimer's, there is definite confusion regarding past and present. Sufferers also find it difficult to recognize well-known places and people. Most verbal skills are lost along with the ability to care for oneself. Immobility is unlikely, and there are possible issues with incontinence and swallowing. Mood will fluctuate and there could be delirium and/or hallucinations. Patients require complete around-the-clock care and are susceptible to pneumonia and other illnesses.

Risk Factors

• One way to differentiate between Alzheimer's disease and some other condition or illness is to recognize the risk factors. The most common are age, family history and heredity. The greatest risk for people to develop Alzheimer's is over age 65; there is an even bigger risk for those over age 85. People that have an immediate family member with Alzheimer's are at a much greater risk. The risk continues to increase if there is more than one person that had the condition. Heredity also plays a significant role.