Have you ever worried about your memory, or the memory of a loved one (like your mother, father, grandmother, aunt)? Have you ever thought, "Oh, he's going to forget everything"? It's actually normal to forget small things as you get older. It may take a while to remember someone's name, but then it's not that serious. But if this memory loss is affecting your daily life, it could be an early sign of Alzheimer's disease.
Don't confuse normal forgetfulness with Alzheimer's disease!
First, let's understand the difference between the two. As we age, our brain functions slow down a bit. That's normal.
- Normal forgetfulness: You forget someone's name for a while, then remember it later. It takes a while to find where you put your keys. This is normal.
- Alzheimer's symptoms: You completely forget something you've just learned. You can't remember important dates, names, or events. You can't even remember if big events happened. You ask the same questions over and over again. You need to have small pieces of paper (`Post-it notes`) or `reminders` on your phone to help you remember.
It is important to understand this difference because not all forgetfulness is a disease. But if your memory is so weak that you cannot perform daily tasks, you should be concerned.
What are the early warning signs of this disease?
Alzheimer's disease is a condition that gradually damages the brain. Therefore, it is very important to recognize these symptoms early. Let's see what these symptoms are.
| Symptom | How it looks in everyday life |
|---|---|
| Memory loss | Quickly forgetting new information. Forgetting important dates, names, and events. Asking the same question over and over again. |
| Difficulty planning and problem solving | Difficulty making plans and working according to them. Forgetting even the recipe for a meal you often make. Difficulty keeping track of accounts and paying bills. |
| Daily tasks are a challenge | Not remembering the way to a place you often drive to. Not being able to do even a simple task at work. Forgetting the rules of a favorite game. |
| Disorientation about time and place | Forgetting where you are or how you got there. Getting days and months mixed up. Getting lost easily. |
| Vision changes | Difficulty reading a book. Difficulty judging distance. Difficulty distinguishing colors. This can have a major impact on driving. |
| Difficulty speaking and speaking | Not being able to find the exact word you want. For example, using other words for a watch, such as "looking at the time on your wrist." Stopping in the middle of a conversation and forgetting what you were going to say. |
| Loss of goods | Forgetting where things are and not being able to retrace steps to find them. Putting things in unusual places (e.g., putting a watch in the fridge). Accusing others of taking things. |
| Deficiencies in judgment | Making bad decisions. Making bad decisions about money (e.g. giving money to others for no reason). Lack of concern for cleanliness. Wearing clothes that are not appropriate for the weather. |
| Social isolation | Withdrawal from favorite hobbies, work. Loss of interest in anything. Constantly watching TV or sleeping. |
| Mood Changes | Getting angry quickly. Feeling depressed, afraid, anxious. Always suspicious of others. |
Can you recognize illness by the eyes and speech?
Surprisingly, research has found that some early signs of Alzheimer's disease can be detected in our eyes and even in the way we speak.
- Changes in the eyes: In Alzheimer's disease, a protein called ``Amyloid`` is deposited in the brain. It has now been discovered that this same protein is deposited in the ``retina`` at the back of our eyes. Scientists believe that this will help develop new methods for early detection of the disease.
- Speech changes: As the disease progresses, it becomes harder to remember words. As we discussed above, people may start using words like "watch" instead of "watch." They may also forget the meaning of some words. Recent research has shown that people in the early stages of the disease speak less and use fewer nouns.
If you have these symptoms, what should you do next?
If you or a loved one is experiencing one or more of these symptoms, the best thing to do is to see a doctor immediately. Please don't put it off.
Your doctor will carefully examine your physical and mental health.
- Your complete medical history will be reviewed.
- A mental status test is performed to measure memory, simple problem-solving ability, and thinking ability.
- If necessary, they will refer you for blood tests or brain imaging tests.
Then, if necessary, the doctor will refer you to a specialist in this disease. Such specialists include:
- Neurologist: A doctor who specializes in diseases related to the brain and nervous system.
- Psychiatrist: A mental health specialist.
- Geriatrician: A specialist who treats diseases of the elderly.
Why do we need to see a doctor soon?
Don't think, "Let's wait a little longer." In a situation like this, the sooner you get a diagnosis, the better for you.
- Treatment can begin early: Starting treatment early can help control symptoms and extend the time you can do things on your own.
- You can plan for the future: Knowing about the disease early gives you time to plan for your future, make financial and legal decisions, and build a support network. This is a great relief for you and your family.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Alzheimer's
At what age does Alzheimer's disease usually begin?
Most people don't develop symptoms of Alzheimer's until after the age of 65. But a very small number of people can develop the disease in their 30s or 40s. This is called ``Early-onset Alzheimer's''.
Why do some people develop this disease earlier?
Researchers still don't know the exact cause. If someone in your family has had early-onset Alzheimer's, you may be at slightly higher risk of developing it. But that doesn't mean you will. In rare cases, the condition can be caused by gene mutations.
How does the body warn us that dementia is beginning?
Dementia is a general term for conditions that affect memory, such as Alzheimer's. Its early warning signs include frequent disorientation, frequent forgetting of recent events or words, difficulty making even simple decisions, and mood swings.
Take-Home Message
- There is a clear difference between normal forgetfulness that occurs with age and the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease . If your memory is so weak that you can't perform everyday tasks, be concerned.
- Memory loss, difficulty planning, daily tasks becoming challenging, forgetting words, and mood changes are warning signs that should be taken seriously .
- If you have any of these symptoms, don't hesitate to see your doctor as soon as possible. It's the best thing you can do for yourself and your family.
- By diagnosing the disease early, treatment can begin quickly, plan for the future well, and make life easier.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න