Alzheimer's Disease

Description, Warning Signs, Detection, & Management

What is Alzheimer's?

Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking, and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough in some cases to interfere with daily tasks. 

Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other cognitive abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's disease is not a typical part of aging. The greatest known risk factor is increasing age, and the majority of people who suffer from the disease are age 65 and older. Alzheimer's is not just a disease of aging - approximately 200,000 Americans under the age of 65 have younger-onset Alzheimer's disease. 

Warning Signs

Just like the rest of our body, our brain changes as we age. The most common early symptom of Alzheimer's is difficulty remembering newly learned information. Other warning signs and symptoms include:

1. Memory changes that disrupt daily life
2. Challenges in planning or solving problems
3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work, or at leisure
4. Confusion with time or place
5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
6. New problems with words in speaking or writing
7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
8. Decreased or poor judgment
9. Withdrawal from work or social activities
10. Changes in mood and personality

If you or a loved one demonstrates any of these signs, please consult with your primary care doctor.

The Benefit of Early Detection

Early detection allows for you or a loved one to get the maximum benefit from available treatments. In addition, detecting and diagnosing the disease early on allows for more time to plan for the future and explore support services.