Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. It is the most common cause of dementia in older adults, and early detection is crucial for managing the symptoms and planning for the future. Here are 10 early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease to watch out for:
1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life: forgetting important dates or events, asking for the same information repeatedly, or relying on memory aids.
2. Difficulty completing familiar tasks: struggling to follow a familiar recipe, drive to a familiar location, or manage finances.
3. Confusion with time or place: losing track of dates, seasons, or the passage of time, or getting lost in familiar places.
4. Trouble with language: forgetting simple words or having difficulty following or joining a conversation.
5. Poor judgment: making bad decisions or exhibiting poor judgment, such as giving large sums of money to telemarketers.
6. Withdrawal from work or social activities: losing interest in hobbies, work projects, or social gatherings.
7. Changes in mood or personality: becoming easily upset, anxious, depressed, or suspicious.
8. Misplacing things: putting items in unusual places, such as placing keys in the refrigerator or wallet in the dishwasher.
9. Difficulty with visual images and spatial relationships: having difficulty reading, judging distance, or determining color or contrast.
10. New problems with words in speaking or writing: having trouble following or joining a conversation, struggling to find the right words, or calling things by the wrong name.