Misplacing the keys, forgetting important dates or why you walked into a room all seem like a normal occurrence for most people. But when these things become more frequent and start interfering with your day-to-day tasks, then they should raise a red flag.
Alzheimer’s disease affects more than 5 million Americans and is one of the current leading causes of death. It is defined to be the most common cause of dementia, a more complex condition wherein severe loss of memory and cognitive abilities interfere with one’s daily life. Although most people with Alzheimer’s are aged 65 and older, around 5% of people diagnosed show an early onset of the disease.
It should be noted that Alzheimer’s disease does not only affect elderly patients. People aged 40s and 50s can already experience early warning signs, as well. If you notice yourself or a loved one experiencing the following symptoms more often, it is time that you see a doctor specializing in neurology in St. George for consultation, proper diagnosis and treatment.
Difficulty in Making Decisions
Patients with early-onset Alzheimer’s show poor judgment and difficulty in making decisions in cases that require serious consideration and tact. This includes splurging on unimportant items or donating a large amount of money to random charities. People who overlook normal routine activities, such as changing clothes after getting home or taking a bath in the morning, may also be experiencing early-onset Alzheimer’s.
Challenge in Solving Problems
Some people begin to experience difficulty taking steps that they effortlessly do before. Whether it is for work-related tasks, household chores or leisurely habits that they have been doing for a very long time. Some clear signs are getting lost driving in a familiar route or difficulty in following a favorite recipe when cooking.
Losing Track of Time and Place
Present day career requirements may leave people forgetting what day of the week it is, but they do figure it out sooner or later. People with early-onset Alzheimer’s forget time and become disoriented with where they are. This is a common symptom of the disease that people should be aware of.
Loss of Sight
Some people with early-onset also exhibit loss of sight, problems in the judgment of color, distance and contrast. These symptoms affect their ability to read, recognize people and drive.
Mood Changes
As the condition starts to progress, people with Alzheimer’s start to experience mixed feelings of depression, confusion, fearfulness and anxiety. They may also start to withdraw from social gatherings and usual hobbies that they used to enjoy. This is mainly because they find it hard to join in conversations, particularly finishing sentences and finding the right words for what they want to say.
The exact cause of Alzheimer’s has yet to be determined. However, researchers have discovered that rare variations in some genes might contribute to the development of the disease since it is carried from one generation to another. This disease can be disheartening, so if a loved one starts exhibiting these early signs of Alzheimer’s, consult a neurologist as soon as possible to start treatment.
