Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating illness that affects millions of people across the world. While it can be difficult to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease in its early stages, there are certain signs and symptoms to watch for. Knowing what to look for may help you to seek medical help as soon as possible. In this article, you’ll find the top Alzheimer’s 10 signs. Keep reading to learn what they are.
1. Memory Loss
Memory loss due to Alzheimer’s disease is often gradual and can start with simple forgetfulness. People with Alzheimer’s may forget where they left certain items, have difficulty remembering conversations, or forget names and dates. As the disease progresses, memory loss can worsen and become more severe, resulting in disorientation, confusion, and difficulty completing everyday tasks.
2. Social Withdrawal
As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, it can lead to a decline in social skills, confusion, and memory loss. One of the earliest signs that someone may have the disease is a gradual withdrawal from social activities and relationships. While social withdrawal is normal for some people, it can be an indication of a more serious underlying condition.
3. Difficult Performing Daily Tasks
Difficult performing daily tasks are one of the earliest and most common warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease. This includes tasks such as remembering to take medications, following instructions, managing finances, and performing basic tasks such as brushing teeth and getting dressed. As the disease progresses, individuals may have difficulty completing more complex tasks, such as preparing meals and driving.
4. Problems with Time and Dates
People with Alzheimer’s disease can experience difficulty understanding the meaning of time and dates. This can manifest in a variety of ways—from losing track of what day it is and when events are taking place, to not being able to remember the difference between morning and night, or summer and winter. Time and date problems can occur in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease and can be one of the earliest indicators of the disorder.
5. Moodiness
Moodiness is an important indicator of many health issues, and it can be an early warning sign for Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, mood swings, irritability, and apathy are often among the earliest indicators of the onset of Alzheimer’s. It is thought that changes in mood can be a sign of the changes in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s Disease. As Alzheimer’s progresses, it affects the brain in a variety of ways, and these effects can manifest themselves in changes in mood.
6. Difficulty Concentrating
While memory loss is often the most recognizable symptom of Alzheimer’s Disease, difficulty concentrating can be an early warning sign that the disease is beginning to develop. Difficulty concentrating can manifest in several ways. People with Alzheimer’s Disease may have trouble focusing on a task, have difficulty following conversations or instructions, and may be more easily distracted.
7. Financial Difficulties
Financial difficulties can appear in various forms, such as misplacing important paperwork or forgetting to pay bills. These difficulties can be a sign of the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease and may manifest in different ways depending on the individual. For example, a person may start to have difficulty managing their finances or balancing their bank accounts. In some cases, they may make large, uncharacteristic purchases with no clear explanation for why they felt compelled to do so.
8. Personality Changes
Personality changes are not always easy to recognize, especially in the beginning stages of the disease. Common signs of personality changes include a loss of interest in activities and hobbies that once brought pleasure, decreased self-care, and unusual behavior or speech.
9. Increased Anxiety and Depression
Depression and anxiety often occur in the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s Disease, as the brain begins to deteriorate and the individual starts to experience cognitive decline. As the disease progresses, these symptoms become more pronounced and can lead to a decline in the quality of life. It is important to recognize these symptoms and seek medical attention in order to get the help needed to manage them.
10. Difficulty Sleeping
Difficulty sleeping is often one of the first signs of Alzheimer’s. People with the condition may have difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. They may wake up often during the night, or wake up too early in the morning. They may also suffer from insomnia, which is difficulty staying asleep.
Altogether, the 10 early warning Signs of Alzheimer’s disease are important indicators of possible cognitive decline. Identifying these symptoms in oneself or a loved one can lead to early intervention, which is essential to preserving one’s quality of life and slowing the progression of the disease.
