The Starting Signs of Alzhiemer's

Alzheimer's disease is one of the main forms of dementia. Dr. Alois Alzheimer first described the disease in 1906, when he gave a lecture on the unusual symptoms found in a patient known as Auguste D. This patient died at only 55 and seems to have suffered what is now recognized as Alzheimer's disease. In this disease, the connection between the nerve cells is damaged. It typically attacks different parts of the brain, in turn for example the hippocampus, affecting the short-term memory which is controlled by this part of the brain.

Short-term Memory Loss

• The early symptoms of Alzheimer's can be very distressing.

  One of the main symptoms of Alzheimer's disease is short-term memory loss. Some degree of forgetfulness is normal, particularly if a person is stressed in some way. However, in Alzheimer's this memory loss is more noticeable, particularly by other people, and is also more persistent. The person with Alzheimer's may forget whether she has had breakfast. Sometimes, patients attempt to cover this up, because they are frightened and distressed by the problem.

Confusion and Disorientation

• An early sign of Alzheimer's disease may be confusion. This is often combined with disorientation. A person may go outside in her nightdress, or be inappropriately dressed for the weather. She may fail to recognize her closest relatives. When a diagnosis of dementia is suspected the doctor will ask the patient a series of questions, including the day, the month and the year. Incorrect answers to several of these questions may indicate the presence of Alzheimer's disease. The doctor will also ask give the patient an address, and later ask her to repeat it, testing her short-term memory.

Mood Swings

• Mood swings are frequently present in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. The person may seem erratic in mood, and may become tearful for no apparent reason. Before the dementia has really got a hold it may be that there are periods of orientation and insight, where he actually realizes that things are not right. This is very likely to cause distress. Occasionally, a person in the early stages of Alzheimer's becomes frustrated and aggressive, sometimes triggered by the person's fear of the situation.

Cognitive Skills

• The person with Alzheimer's disease will suffer impairment to his cognitive skills. He may be unable to work out simple problems of logic. He may find shopping a problem as he can no longer work out prices and money.