How to Recognize Alzheimer's Symptoms

Everyone has trouble remembering at one time or another, but it's important not to mistake normal forgetfulness with Alzheimer's symptoms. Alzheimer's disease is characterized by the gradual loss of the ability to think and reason. A person with Alzheimer's will eventually lose the ability to communicate with others and care for themselves. The reason for this is that Alzheimer's causes the tissue in a person's brain to deteriorate. As a result a person will lose their memory and mental abilities. Although this condition can affect people differently, there are some typical Alzheimer's symptoms to be aware of.

Instructions

• 1

  First, rule out other causes for the memory loss. Memory problems are not always an indication of Alzheimer's. Forgetfulness can be caused by other conditions such as epilepsy, head injuries, stroke, Parkinson's disease, or brain tumors. Other conditions that can lead to memory loss include vitamin deficiencies, dehydration, malnourishment, or liver or kidney failure. Medication, depression, sleep deprivation, and certain infections can also affect a person's memory.

• 2

  Learn how to tell the difference between normal forgetfulness and memory loss related to Alzheimers symptoms. For example, it's considered normal for a person to forget where they put their cell phone. But a person who has Alzheimer's may forget what a cell phone is for. Other signs of Alzheimers include forgetting the names of close friends and family members and becoming disoriented in familiar surroundings. Also people who have Alzheimer's may forget about conversations they've had and as a result, tell people the same stories over and over again.

• 3

  Be aware of the other signs of Alzheimers. This condition affects more than just a person's memory. People who have Alzheimer's are prone to having mood swings. It can also affect their judgment, making them more likely to fall for scams. They may also lose their concept of time and not be able to tell the difference between present and past events.