Is It Alzheimer's Or Simple Forgetfulness? An Alzheimer's Definition

By Mike Herman

Find out the real Alzheimer's definition. Learn what to do if you or someone you know seems to have Alzheimer's.

Do you or family members seem to be having memory problems? Always losing the keys? Forgetting to take your medicineor worse yet dont remember whether you took it or not? If youre worried that you or someone close to you may have Alzheimer's dont delay consulting a professional. Early diagnosis means early treatment. Some of the medications today are delaying the progression, thus allowing a more normal lifestyle.

Alzheimer's Definition This disease is a severe type of mental deterioration, or dementia, usually affecting older people. Occasionally affecting people younger than sixty. It accounts for half of all dementias. The other half results from drug and alcohol abuse, infections, or stroke. Alzheimer's disease is estimated to affect 10% of all people older than sixty-five and nearly half of those older than 85.

Alzheimer's Definition of Symptoms

Early symptoms of Alzheimer's include general intellectual deficiency, memory loss, short attention span, moodiness, disorientations, and irritability. The difficult part of recognizing Alzheimer's early is the fact that the symptoms are very similar to the normal aging process and the changes that occur in mental function. Thinking, remembering, and reasoning all seem to decline as we age. These are the same classic symptoms of Alzheimer's.

Symptoms of the early stages of Alzheimer's are often ignored. A person with mild symptoms of Alzheimer's often seems healthy when in fact they are having trouble. The on-looker will often have trouble realizing somethings wrong, because the early symptoms seem just like normal aging.

A person in the early stages of Alzheimer's will still br able to do most normal activities like driving a car. The problem is they may get lost going to familiar places. They may display sadness, decreased interest in normal activities, and loss of energy. Difficult learning and remembering new information is another symptom of early Alzheimer's.

Some evidence exists that Alzheimer's disease may have characteristics of a chronic inflammatory disease, similar to arthritis. Anti-inflammatory drug therapy has had some affect in slowing its progress. Estrogen treatment may decrease or postpone symptoms in women.

As the disease progresses the Alzheimer's symptoms changes dramatically. In the moderate stage more prominent and disturbing behavioral changes occur. Putting things in strange placesfor example the hair dryer in the refrigerator. Time and normal functions of daily life become severely distorted to the person with moderate level Alzheimer's. They may forget to eat. Ask the same questions over and over, as well as a host of other abnormal behaviors.

In the advanced stages of Alzheimer's physical problems occurs. People with advanced Alzheimer's require constant care. They lose control of bodily functions, and may have problems standing and walking and other body movements. The progression of Alzheimer's varies from person to person.

There are some medications that help with the symptoms of Alzheimer's. Research is continuous on this debilitating disease. Make sure to see a physician if symptoms warrant. Quality of life and the delay the progression of Alzheimer's can be improved with medication and care.

If you need to learn more about the stages of alzheimers or the causes of dementia click on over to http://www.Answers4Alzheimers.com Alzheimer's Or Simple Forgetfulness? An Alzheimer's Definition.

More Resources

Loneliness Linked To Increased Risk Of Alzheimer's Disease


People who feel lonely may be twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's disease in their later years as those who feel they have a close network of friends and family, researchers report. The findings appeared in the Archives of General Psychiatry, a mental health journal from the American Medical Association.

Remembering Manuel...(Alzheimer's/dementia)


Heart-breaking is the only word I can use to describe Manuel, who was a patient the same time I was a patient, at the VA hospital in 2005. At the time, I knew nothing about dementia...that awful disease that takes away the mind, and leaves the person hopelessly in the dark!

Is It Alzheimer's Or Simple Forgetfulness? An Alzheimer's Definition


Find out the real Alzheimer's definition. Learn what to do if you or someone you know seems to have Alzheimer's.

Behavioral Manifestations of Alzheimer's Dementia


Alzheimer's Dementia has a combination of cognitive and behavioral manifestations. Cognitive impairment is the core problem which includes memory deficits and at least one of the following: aphasia or language problem, agnosia or problems with recognition, apraxia or motor activity problem, and impairment in executive functioning (e.g. planning, abstract reasoning, and organizing).

Understanding Alzheimer's


Alzheimer's disease is still an extremely controversial subject as there is no known cause and no known cure. But thanks to microscopes, laser scans and a multitude of other medical advances, there really is no controversy about what part of the body Alzheimer's affects, and that is the brain. Alzheimer's essentially causes a loss of brain tissue over time that starts with a person forgetting simple things and progresses to fully fledged dementia. The big question that everyone wants to know is what causes Alzheimer's and what can be done to prevent it?

Reduce Risk of Alzheimers - Play Chess


If there was ever a good reason to play chess it's this one, your brain's health. Mental activities like playing chess have been linked to reducing the risk of getting Alzheimer's disease and Dementia.

Identifying the Stages of Alzheimer's


Identifying the stages of Alzheimer's helps family members and friends in anticipating what changes to expect and how to prepare. Knowing what to expect, in some cases, helps to make the disease easier to deal with.

Supportive Information On Coping With The Signs And Symptoms Of Alzheimer's Disease


There's no doubt about it - if someone you love develops Alzheimer's disease, your lives will be changed forever. It's truly devastating to watch someone you love as they begin to lose their memory, and as the disease progresses, it also becomes a lot more difficult to care for that person. Let's take a look at a few basic ways in which you can cope more effectively as your loved develops Alzheimer's.

The Conditions Of Alzheimer's Dementia Explained


Alzheimers disease is fundamentally a form of mental disorder known as dementia. The disease is by far the most ever-present dementing illness of today with the more common form of Alzheimers disease known as late-onset Alzheimer's.

Are All Dementias Alzheimer's?


I'm surprised when some patients and caregivers confuse dementia and Alzheimer's as one and the same. Each time a family member is suffering from memory loss, the conclusion is always Alzheimer's. Is it reasonable to label all dementias as Alzheimer's?

Custom Search

More Alzheimer's Articles:

Related Articles

The Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease


Alzheimer's Disease is a disease that impairs the brain and causes memory loss, particularly in the elderly. What in effect happens is that nerve cells in the brain die manifesting itself with symptoms of memory loss. Nerve cells are crucial to the process of recall. Although the disease develops slowly it will eventually lead to death. Alzheimer's disease is the 9th most common cause of death for those who are 65 years old or more. It is worth noting that the average time from diagnosis till death is approximately 8 years, although some suffers have lived for 20 years, before the disease leads to death.

Alzheimer's Disease and Music Therapy


Activities for Alzheimers patients will often depend on the stages of Alzheimer's disease that the person is at. Alzheimer disease and music therapy are now used in many cases with some amazing results. One of the most remarkable things about this sad disease is the joy and comfort that Alzheimer's disease and music therapy can bring, my late Gran suffered from Alzheimer's in her latter years and my Dad used to always play some old songs on a Wednesday night.

New Brain Health Roadmap Announced


On June 10th something wonderful happened, and the media hasn't paid much attention yet. On that day, the National Public Health Road Map to Maintaining Cognitive Health was released by the CDC and the Alzheimer's Association. IN this article, I want to first share with you the 10 top actions proposed by this report, and then provide a quick glossary to explain the key words that you will hear more and more when discussing brain health.

Caring For Parents With Alzheimer's Disease


Alzheimer's disease directly affects about four million people in the United States, though it affects many more of us indirectly. While we may not be suffering from the disease personally, many of us are in a position where it has become necessary to care for someone with Alzheimer's.

Therapy Pets Prove Soothing to People With Alzheimer's


The recent win of Diamond Jim, an English Springer spaniel, at the Westminster Kennel Club's annual top dog competition in New York City brought attention to an increased calling for select pets across the country; serving as therapy dogs for people with Alzheimer's and other disabling ailments. The dog, commonly called James, is retiring from the show world to live the life of a therapy dog. James and his human partner have already worked with people with Alzheimer's, proving a soothing presence in nursing homes where they visit.

Helpful and Fun Activities For Patients With Alzhemier's Disease


If you are caring for someone with Alzheimer's Disease or even someone living with this disease there are some easy and fun activities that you can do to help ward off the effects of Alzheimer's disease. These activities will help to keep your brain active, flexible and alert.

Alzheimers Info To Make Your Life Easier


Probably one of the most difficult things you'll every have to do, is care for someone with Alzheimers. The reality that the person with Alzheimers is likely very close to you, only makes the task more challenging. Being armed with as much Alzheimers info as possible, and knowing where you can turn to if you need more help or information can make a world of difference. Being someone who cares for another human being puts you into a category with a high degree of burnout. It can be a stressful, thankless job. You need to stack the odds in your favor as much as possible.

Heavy Metal Anchors Alzheimer's in Your Brain


Heavy metals and aluminum are in every part of our environment and food. These elements are deadly and you will benefit if you are aware of what they do where they come from.

Signs of Alzheimer's Disease


As most of us grow older, it's normal to fear the onset of Alzheimer's disease. Millions of people around the globe suffer from its affects daily and since it is a disease that is so closely associated with growing older, it's natural to think that it is going to happen to you, especially if you have a family history of Alzheimer's in your family. There are signs of Alzheimer's disease that you can watch out for.

Do Elevated Homocysteine Levels Increase Risk For Alzheimer's Disease?


A natural amino acid called homosysteine has recently been linked to several age related diseases. Some researchers believe it may also be linked to the onset of Alzheimer's Disease.