Understanding the Early Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s
June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month across the country. Though Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are more typically associated geriatric patients, the impact of these diseases is far more wide-reaching than that. According to statistics collected by the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 15 million Americans currently provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting over 5 million Americans. Experts expect this figure to exceed 16 million by the year 2050. In addition to affecting someone’s cognitive and physical abilities, Alzheimer’s can be fatal. The Alzheimer’s Association states that the disease is the sixth leading killer in the US, and that roughly a third of all senior citizens die with Alzheimer’s disease or forms of dementia.
With this in mind, we are writing today to detail some of the most common warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Although there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, early detection is still very important. An early diagnosis can help patients keep more treatment options open and receive more benefits from their treatments. Recognizing Alzheimer’s early can also help patients and their families better prepare and plan for the future. The following are early Alzheimer’s warning signs to look out for:
- Memory loss (both short and long-term)
- Issues with simple planning and problem solving
- Trouble completing common, daily tasks
- Changes to vision and issues with depth-perception
- Struggles with conversation and vocabulary
- Irregular or abnormal lapses in judgment
- Social withdrawal and depressive tendencies
- Unpredictable or uncharacteristic mood swings
There are a number of great ways you can participate in Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month including making a donation to an Alzheimer’s charity or just helping spread awareness of the disease online. Knowledge is one of the best weapons we have in the fight against Alzheimer’s. The more informed you are about Alzheimer’s and its symptoms, the better chance you will have to recognize the signs early. For more information about Alzheimer’s or to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson.
