The symptoms of Alzheimer's disease can sometimes be mistaken with other conditions and may initially be put down to old age.
While it is common for people's memories to be affected from time to time, it is important to be aware of how it could be a sign of developing illnesses for people over 65.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other cognitive abilities which interfere with daily life. The disease accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases, reports from Alzheimer's Association said.
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According to NHS data, Alzheimer's disease is a progressive condition, which means the symptoms develop gradually over time and will eventually become more severe. The rate at which symptoms develop for each individual will differ and the first showing symptoms may also vary.
September marks Alzheimer's Disease Awareness month, which is an opportunity to raise awareness around the disease, educate people, and to offer support of and demystify dementia.
Early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease:
- Forget about recent conversations or events
- Misplace items
- Forget the names of people, places and objects
- Have trouble thinking of the right word
- Ask questions repetitively
- Finding it harder to make decisions
- Become less flexible and more hesitant to try new things
- Get lost in a familiar place
Mid-stage symptoms of Alzheimer's disease:
- Changes in mood, such as frequent mood swings, depression and feeling increasingly anxious, frustrated or agitated
- Difficulty performing spatial tasks, such as judging distances
Increasing confusion and disorientation, for example, getting lost, or wandering and not knowing what time of day it is
- Obsessive, repetitive or impulsive behaviour
- Disturbed sleep
Later symptoms of Alzheimer's disease:
- Some people start to believe things that are untrue (having delusions)
- Difficulties eating or walking without help, and become more frail
- Problems eating and swallowing (dysphagia)
- Weight loss – sometimes severe
- Unintentional passing of urine (urinary incontinence) or stools (bowel incontinence)
- Gradual loss of speech
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