Age Matters Clinic

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Toronto Geriatric Assessment and Memory Clinic

What Are The Earliest Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease?

Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease impacts every aspect of your life. From the earliest symptoms to the later stages, this brain disease takes a toll on both your mental and physical health. In order to delay the onset of the disease or slow down its progression, it is important to know the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer's.

Alzheimer's disease is a serious health issue that most commonly affects men and women over the age of 65. However, younger onset Alzheimer's disease does exist. This is a serious degenerative brain disease. This form of dementia can force patients to struggle with memory loss, the ability to recall information, and eventually the ability to perform simple daily tasks. How quickly the symptoms progress differs with each person. While there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, there are some ways that may help slow down the progression of the disease. Certain diets, vitamins, and memory related exercises, for example.

Since Alzheimer's disease is such a serious health issue, it is important to know the earliest symptoms. The first stage of the disease typically shows no symptoms whatsoever. It isn't until the disease begins to progress that the early signs truly start to show. By the second and third stages of Alzheimer's disease, the patient may start to recognize some of the symptoms occurring. At first they may seem like normal age-related memory loss issues, like forgetting the grocery list or leaving the door unlocked. These small and seemingly unimportant moments may, however, be the beginning of a more serious problem.

This is when the early symptoms truly start to appear. They are typically related to difficulty with concentration and memory. Some common first symptoms include: difficulty thinking of the right name or the correct word, issues with short-term memory, and losing or misplacing items. Often times, these symptoms are thought to be related to age and not specifically Alzheimer's. This can make diagnosis a more lengthy process. Some other early symptoms may also include difficulty performing tasks at work or problems with planning and organizing.

When it comes to early memory loss, the most common sign that it may be Alzheimer's is when memory loss disrupts your daily life. For example, when you forget information that you learned moments ago - like the name of a new acquaintance or what restaurant you're dining at, or when you need to ask the same questions over and over again and can't seem to remember the answer. These are both examples of memory loss that disrupts daily life. Typically this type of memory loss is one of the earliest signs of Alzheimer's disease.

Another early sign of Alzheimer's disease is difficulty completing ordinary daily tasks. This involves things like getting from place to place, completing standard work procedures, and even remembering the time and place. Sometimes early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease make it challenging for people to remember where they are, what season or month it is, and even what they are doing. Other common early symptoms are poor judgement (dealing with money, salespeople, or telemarketers), withdrawing from social activities they used to enjoy, sudden changes in mood or personality, and difficulty with words.

There are many early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Not all of them may occur, or many of them may occur, it all depends on the individual. It is important to be aware and pay attention. If the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer's disease start to appear, it is important to seek the help and advice of a doctor. The earlier the diagnosis, the better the quality of life.

Do you need more information about the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer's disease? Contact the Age Matters Clinic at: 647-268-0620. We understand how to improve the life of Alzheimer's and memory loss patients.