Alzheimer’s disease and its common signs  

What is Alzheimer's disease? 

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease that impairs one's memory, thinking, and behavior progressively. In older adults, it is the most common form of dementia. 

It develops due to the deposition of amyloid plaques in the brain tissues. Also, there is a lack of connection between nerve cells. Many other changes also occur in the brain tissue of the person suffering from Alzheimer's disease. 

Initially, the brain damage is manifested in the hippocampus, and eventually, it spreads to all parts of the brain during later stages of the disease. 

Early-onset Alzheimer's disease is categorized as such when it is diagnosed in someone aged less than 65. Few people with Alzheimer's disease have an early-onset form of the disease. It can occur in people who are aged between 30 and 40. Familial history increases the chances of developing early-onset Alzheimer's disease.

The diagnosis of late-onset Alzheimer's is for people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's after the age of 65. Unlike early-onset, lifestyle and environmental factors play a major role in late-onset disease instead of familial factors.

Common signs: 

The symptoms of Alzheimer’s develop over many months and worsen over time. Memory loss is a hallmark feature of this disease. Mostly, memory loss is the initial manifestation, and then, other symptoms develop over time. 

Common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are mentioned below:

Memory loss: Difficulty remembering new information, repeating questions, and getting lost again and again. 

Cognitive deficits: A person may suffer a decline in his/her reasoning abilities, performing difficult daily tasks, and poor judgment. 

Difficulty recognizing people: A person with Alzheimer’s disease may struggle with recognizing the faces of people who he/she was able to recognize previously. 

The decline in spatial awareness: This manifests in difficulty maintaining balance, tripping over, and having difficulty wearing clothes. 

Personality changes: Few personality changes can occur during Alzheimer’s disease. Losing interest in daily activities, losing empathy for others, and becoming angry on little issues are some of the changes that may occur.