Alzheimer’s disease symptoms

In Alzheimer’s disease, nerve cells in the brain die gradually. This makes it increasingly difficult for your brain’s signals to be sent properly.

Alzheimer’s disease symptoms may be hard to recognise at first. You may assume that symptoms such as mild forgetfulness or an occasional loss of focus are normal signs of ageing. However, as the disease progresses, Alzheimer’s disease symptoms become more than “normal” changes. They become frightening, incapacitating and dangerous. In the latter stages of disease, people with Alzheimer’s disease often require round the clock care.

What are the early, middle and late symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease? If you notice any of these symptoms what should you do?

Alzheimer’s disease symptoms in the early stage

Below are several early warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease.

• Short-term memory loss. This is memories of the recent past rather than those that happened long ago. It is the most common early symptom of Alzheimer’s disease. Do you have trouble remembering recent conversations or events?
• Difficulty performing familiar tasks. Are you stumped by every day activities, like brushing your teeth, washing your hair or making a telephone call?
• Disorientation. Do you get lost in your own neighbourhood? Do you find yourself putting household items in places they don’t belong, like placing a book in the fridge?
• Increasing problems with planning and managing. Have activities like balancing your chequebook, paying bills or writing a shopping list become more difficult?
• Trouble with language. Are you unable to recall words for everyday things? For example, does “car” become “that thing I drive” or chair “that thing I sit on”?
• Rapid, unpredictable mood swings. Do you suddenly shift from happy to sad or from calm to angry with no apparent reason?
• Lack of motivation. Have activities you have always loved lost their appeal? Do you see less of your friends and family? Are you spending more time staring at the television?
• Changes in sleep. Do you sleep more than usual? Do you sleep during the day rather than at night?

Alzheimer’s disease symptoms in the middle stage

Once past the early stage, Alzheimer’s disease symptoms begin to demand constant attention and care. Symptoms linked to the middle stages of Alzheimer’s disease include:

• Difficulty completing everyday tasks, such as getting dressed, going to the toilet or preparing meals
• Hallucinations
• Strong feelings of paranoia and anger
• Wandering

Alzheimer’s disease symptoms in the later stages

In the later stages, a person with Alzheimer’s disease is unable to care for himself or herself at all.

• Inability to communicate with or recognise other people
• Inability to walk
• Difficulty swallowing
• Inability to smile

If you notice any of these Alzheimer’s disease symptoms

If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical advice. These signs can be linked to many other health problems, many of which can be treated. Even if your doctor does diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, there are ways to help ease some of the symptoms.