Symptoms
The disease begins as mild memory lapses. It moves to profound loss of memory and function. Alzheimer's disease is divided into three stages:
- Early—memory and cognition loss are noticeable but still able to function independently
- Intermediate—mental loss, personality changes more dependent on others for basic needs
- Severe—loss of personality and bodily functions; total dependence for care
Symptoms include:
-
Increasing trouble remembering things, such as
- How to get to familiar places
- Names of friends and family members
- Where common objects are kept
- Simple math
- How to perform tasks (eg, cooking, dressing, bathing)
- Trouble concentrating on tasks
- Trouble completing sentences due to lost or forgotten words (progresses to a complete inability to speak)
- Difficulty with daily life tasks such as bill paying and housekeeping
- Inability to remember the date, time of day, season
- Mood swings
- Withdrawal, loss of interest in usual activities
- Slow, shuffling walk
- Poor coordination
- Slowness and then loss of purposeful movement
Diagnosis
There are no tests to definitively diagnose this disease. The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. The doctor will ask many questions. This will help to rule out other causes.
Tests to rule out other medical conditions may include:
- Neurological exam
- Psychological and mental status testing
- CT scan —a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of the brain
- MRI scan —a test that uses magnetic waves to make pictures of the brain
- Electroencephalogram (EEG) —a test that measures electrical currents in the brain
- Blood tests and urine tests
- Lumbar puncture —to test for levels of certain brain proteins that increase with Alzheimer’s disease and to rule out other disorders
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2012 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.
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