Signs of Alzheimer's Disease
Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease
The list of medical symptoms mentioned in various sources
for Alzheimer's Disease may include:
List of 34
Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms
Note that Alzheimer's Disease symptoms usually refers to various medical symptoms known to a patient,
but the phrase Alzheimer's Disease signs may often refer to those signs
that are only noticable by a doctor.
Signs or Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease:
Genes and Disease by the National Center for Biotechnology (Excerpt)
Some of the most frequently observed symptoms of the disease include a progressive inability to remember facts and events and, later, to recognize friends and family.
(Source: Genes and Disease by the National Center for Biotechnology)
NINDS Alzheimer's Disease Information Page: NINDS (Excerpt)
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive,
neurodegenerative disease characterized by memory loss, language
deterioration, impaired visuospatial skills, poor judgment, indifferent
attitude, but preserved motor function.
AD usually begins after age 65,
however, its onset may occur as early as age 40
, appearing first as memory
decline and, over several years, destroying cognition, personality, and
ability to function. Confusion and restlessness may also occur. The type,
severity, sequence, and progression of mental changes vary widely.
(Source: excerpt from NINDS Alzheimer's Disease Information Page: NINDS)
Aging -- Women Getting Older: NWHIC (Excerpt)
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia
in older people. A D begins slowly. At first, the only symptom may be mild
forgetfulness. People with AD may have trouble remembering recent events,
activities, or the names of familiar people or things. Simple math
problems may become hard for these people to solve. Such difficulties may
be a bother, but usually, they are not serious enough to cause alarm.
However, as the disease progresses, symptoms are more easily noticed
and become serious enough to cause people with AD or their family members
to seek medical help. For example, people with AD may forget how to do
simple tasks like brushing their teeth or combing their hair. They can no
longer think clearly; and they begin to have problems speaking,
understanding, reading, or writing. Later on, people with AD may become
anxious or aggressive, or wander away from home. Eventually, they may need
total care. (Source: excerpt from Aging -- Women Getting Older: NWHIC)
NIA's Progress Report on Alzheimer's Disease, 1998: NIA (Excerpt)
AD advances by stages, from early, mild forgetfulness to severe dementia.
Dementia is the loss of mental function. In most people with AD, symptoms first
appear after age 60. The earliest symptoms often include loss of recent memory,
faulty judgment, and changes in personality. Often, people in the initial stages
of AD think less clearly and forget the names of familiar people and common
objects. Later in the disease, they may forget how to do simple tasks like
washing their hands. Eventually, people with AD lose all reasoning abilities and
become dependent on other people for their everyday care. Finally, the disease
becomes so debilitating that patients are bedridden and likely to develop
coexisting illnesses. Most commonly, people with AD die from pneumonia. (Source: excerpt from NIA's Progress Report on Alzheimer's Disease, 1998: NIA)
More Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease:
More detailed symptom information may be found on the symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease article.
In addition to the above medical information, to get a full picture
of the possible signs or symptoms of this condition
and also possibly the signs and symptoms of its related medical conditions,
it may be necessary to examine symptoms
that may be
caused by:
Medical articles on signs and symptoms:
These general reference articles may be related
to medical signs and symptoms of disease in general:
What are the signs of Alzheimer's Disease?
The phrase "signs of Alzheimer's Disease" should, strictly speaking,
refer only to those signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease that are not readily apparent to the patient.
The word "symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease" is the more general meaning; see symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease.
The signs and symptom information on this page
attempts to provide a list of some possible signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease.
This medical information about signs and symptoms for Alzheimer's Disease has been gathered
from various sources,
may not be fully accurate,
and may not be the full list of Alzheimer's Disease signs or Alzheimer's Disease symptoms.
Furthermore, signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease may vary on an individual basis for each patient.
Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they
are indeed Alzheimer's Disease symptoms.
