Alzheimer's disease (patient information): Difference between revisions
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==What are the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease?== | ==What are the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease?== | ||
Dementia symptoms include difficulty with many areas of mental function, including: | |||
* Language | |||
* Memory | |||
* Perception | |||
* Emotional behavior or personality | |||
* Cognitive skills (such as calculation, abstract thinking, or judgment | |||
Dementia usually first appears as forgetfulness. | |||
Mild cognitive impairment is the stage between normal forgetfulness due to aging, and the development of AD. People with MCI have mild problems with thinking and memory that do not interfere with everyday activities. They are often aware of the forgetfulness. Not everyone with MCI develops AD. | |||
Symptoms of Mild cognitive impairment include: | |||
* Forgetting recent events or conversations | |||
* Difficulty performing more than one task at a time | |||
* Difficulty solving problems | |||
* Taking longer to perform more difficult activities | |||
The early symptoms of AD can include: | |||
* Language problems, such as trouble finding the name of familiar objects | |||
* Misplacing items | |||
* Getting lost on familiar routes | |||
* Personality changes and loss of social skills | |||
* Losing interest in things previously enjoyed, flat mood | |||
* Difficulty performing tasks that take some thought, but used to come easily, such as balancing a checkbook, playing complex games (such as bridge), and learning new information or routines | |||
As the AD becomes worse, symptoms are more obvious and interfere with your ability to take care of yourself. Symptoms can include: | |||
* Forgetting details about current events | |||
* Forgetting events in your own life history, losing awareness of who you are | |||
* Change in sleep patterns, often waking up at night | |||
* Difficulty reading or writing | |||
* Poor judgment and loss of ability to recognize danger | |||
* Using the wrong word, mispronouncing words, speaking in confusing sentences | |||
* Withdrawing from social contact | |||
* Having hallucinations, arguments, striking out, and violent behavior | |||
* Having delusions, depression, agitation | |||
* Difficulty doing basic tasks, such as preparing meals, choosing proper clothing, and driving | |||
People with severe AD can no longer: | |||
* Understand language | |||
* Recognize family members | |||
* Perform basic activities of daily living, such as eating, dressing, and bathing | |||
Other symptoms that may occur with AD: | |||
* Incontinence | |||
* Swallowing problems | |||
==What are the causes of Alzheimer's disease?== | ==What are the causes of Alzheimer's disease?== | ||
Revision as of 14:55, 9 June 2010
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What is Alzheimer's disease?
What are the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease?
Dementia symptoms include difficulty with many areas of mental function, including:
- Language
- Memory
- Perception
- Emotional behavior or personality
- Cognitive skills (such as calculation, abstract thinking, or judgment
Dementia usually first appears as forgetfulness.
Mild cognitive impairment is the stage between normal forgetfulness due to aging, and the development of AD. People with MCI have mild problems with thinking and memory that do not interfere with everyday activities. They are often aware of the forgetfulness. Not everyone with MCI develops AD.
Symptoms of Mild cognitive impairment include:
- Forgetting recent events or conversations
- Difficulty performing more than one task at a time
- Difficulty solving problems
- Taking longer to perform more difficult activities
The early symptoms of AD can include:
- Language problems, such as trouble finding the name of familiar objects
- Misplacing items
- Getting lost on familiar routes
- Personality changes and loss of social skills
- Losing interest in things previously enjoyed, flat mood
- Difficulty performing tasks that take some thought, but used to come easily, such as balancing a checkbook, playing complex games (such as bridge), and learning new information or routines
As the AD becomes worse, symptoms are more obvious and interfere with your ability to take care of yourself. Symptoms can include:
- Forgetting details about current events
- Forgetting events in your own life history, losing awareness of who you are
- Change in sleep patterns, often waking up at night
- Difficulty reading or writing
- Poor judgment and loss of ability to recognize danger
- Using the wrong word, mispronouncing words, speaking in confusing sentences
- Withdrawing from social contact
- Having hallucinations, arguments, striking out, and violent behavior
- Having delusions, depression, agitation
- Difficulty doing basic tasks, such as preparing meals, choosing proper clothing, and driving
People with severe AD can no longer:
- Understand language
- Recognize family members
- Perform basic activities of daily living, such as eating, dressing, and bathing
Other symptoms that may occur with AD:
- Incontinence
- Swallowing problems
What are the causes of Alzheimer's disease?
Who is at risk for Alzheimer's disease?
How to know you have Alzheimer's disease?
When to seek urgent medical care
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for Alzheimer's disease
Directions to Hospitals Treating Alzheimer's disease