Alzheimer’s Disease

As discussed in yesterday’s column, Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia. For a lot of people they think the two are something separate. Instead, Alzheimer’s can be defined as a progressive, untreatable (more on that near the end of the column) and severe form of dementia. While researchers don’t know why, Alzheimer’s disease, is increasing in frequency more than most other types of dementia.

Even though Alzheimer’s causes 50-60% of all dementias, researchers have found that two nervous diseases, Lewy body disease*, and Pick’s disease**, have been incorrectly diagnosed as Alzheimer’s.

Reading a list about the warning signs of Alzheimer’s is very similar to reading some of the lists yesterday about dementia. But with the help of the Alzheimer’s Association, here are 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s:

1. Memory changes that disrupt daily life

One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s, especially in the early stages, is forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information over and over; relying on memory aides (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.

What’s typical? Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.

2. Challenges in planning or solving problems

Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.

What’s typical? Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook.

3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure

People with Alzheimer’s often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game.

What’s typical? Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show.

4. Confusion with time or place

People with Alzheimer’s can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there.

What’s typical? Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.

5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships

For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer’s. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast. In terms of perception, they may pass a mirror and think someone else is in the room. They may not realize they are the person in the mirror.

What’s typical? Vision changes related to cataracts.

6. New problems with words in speaking or writing

People with Alzheimer’s may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name (e.g., calling a “watch” a “hand-clock”).

What’s typical? Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.

7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps

A person with Alzheimer’s disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur more frequently over time.

What’s typical? Misplacing things from time to time, such as a pair of glasses or the remote control.

8. Decreased or poor judgment

People with Alzheimer’s may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.

What’s typical? Making a bad decision once in a while.

9. Withdrawal from work or social activities

A person with Alzheimer’s may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite sports team or remembering how to complete a favorite hobby. They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced.

What’s typical? Sometimes feeling weary of work, family and social obligations.

10. Changes in mood and personality

The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer’s can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone.

What’s typical? Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.

Remember as you read through the list you will probably realize that you do all of these things once in a while. Don’t be alarmed. You’re not alone…it happens to everyone. It’s when these problems manifest themselves frequently, in combinations and affect your ability to do regular and common daily living, that it’s time to seek professional help. For example, we all like routine, and when things come up that interrupt this practice, we all become a little irritable. But if you begin to forget how to do simple things like brush your teeth, or dress yourself, someone needs to call a family physician or a specialist in neurology or geriatrics for an appointment.

Just be very aware the Alzheimer’s is not curable, and cannot be stopped or reversed. But it is somewhat treatable with new prescription medications like Aricept. What these drugs do is basically slow the progression of the disease, and improves cognition and slows the decline of overall function for those who have mild to moderate Alzheimer’s. While they do slow the progression of the disease, and probably do extend the life of the patient, as Alzheimer’s disease progresses into great severity, the progression quickens. One critic says that treatments such as this only delay the inevitable, and at what price, to assuage the guilt and remorse of the remainder of the family. But like everything else, people have to do what they feel is right for them.

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* Lewy Body Disease – Lewy Body Disease is actually the second most common cause of dementia, accounting for up to 20% all cases. It’s symptoms include strong psychotic symptoms (hallucinations), extreme sensitivity to anti-psychotic medications, and day-to-day symptom variability. Discover by Frederick Lewy in 1912, Lewy Bodies are abnormal structures in the mid-brain and cortex that are microscopic protein deposits found in nerve cells that disrupt the brain’s normal functioning, causing it to slowly deteriorate.

**Pick’s Disease – Pick’s Disease causes a slow shrinking of brain cells due to excess protein build-up. Patients initially exhibit marked personality and behavioral changes, and a decline in the ability to speak coherently. Pick’s Disease accounts for just five percent of all progressive dementias and is frequently misdiagnosed in the early stages as depression, mental illness or Alzheimer’s disease. First described in 1892 by Arnold Pick, Pick’s Disease is a rare disorder that causes the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, which control speech and personality, to slowly atrophy. It is therefore classified as a frontotemporal dementia. It leads to an irreversible decline in a person’s functioning over a period of years.

The information presented here about Lewy Body Disease and Pick’s Disease is from the HelpGuide.org.

© 2009, Ric Morgan and SimpleWords Communications. All rights reserved.