With around 50% of diagnoses, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia in the UK and is the most common form of young onset dementia, accounting for around a third of younger people with dementia.
The exact cause is unknown, but we do know that ‘plaques’ and ‘tangles’ form in the brain due to two proteins called amyloid (a naturally occurring protein that can begin to malfunction, creating beta-amyloid which is toxic to brain cells) and tau (a naturally occurring protein in the brain which helps brain cells communicate with each other, which can become abnormal and ‘clumped together’ leading to the death of the brain cells affected.) The cause of both is not yet understood.
Alzheimer’s causes a slow decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning skills. Some warning signs and symptoms can be spotted. If you notice any of them, don’t ignore them, schedule an appointment with your doctor.
MEMORY LOSS THAT DISRUPTS DAILY LIFE
Forgetting recent knowledge is one of the most typical symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, particularly in the early stages. Others include missing significant dates or events, repeatedly asking the same questions, and increasingly needing the help of memory aides (such as reminder notes) and family members for tasks they used to be able to handle on their own.
DIFFICULTY COMPLETING FAMILIAR TASKS
Changes in the ability to complete daily duties may occur in some people with Alzheimer’s. They can struggle to follow a simple recipe, organise a shopping list or remember to pay their payments on time. They can also have trouble focusing and work considerably more slowly than they did in the past.
CONFUSION WITH TIME OR PLACE
People living with Alzheimer’s are prone to forgetting dates, seasons, and the passage of time. If something doesn’t happen immediately, they could have problems understanding it. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there. They can often misplace items and not be able to retrace their steps to find them.
TROUBLE UNDERSTANDING VISUAL IMAGES OR SPATIAL RELATIONSHIPS
Some people living with Alzheimer’s may experience vision issues Which could lead to difficulty reading or maintaining balance. Driving may be problematic for them since they may have trouble assessing distance and figuring out colour or contrast.
DECREASED OR POOR JUDGEMENT
Individuals may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For instance, they may make poor financial decisions or neglect their hygiene or grooming.
NEW PROBLEMS WITH WORDS IN SPEAKING OR WRITING
People with Alzheimer’s may find it difficult to follow or participate in a discussion. They may stop in the middle of a sentence and be unable to pick up where they left off or they may repeat themselves. They can also have problems remembering the word for familiar things or people.
CHANGES IN MOOD OR PERSONALITY
Alzheimer’s sufferers may go through drastic mood swings or personality changes. They may develop confusion, suspicion, depression, or fear. When they feel outside of their comfort zone, they could be easily upset.