Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disorder that slowly destroys memory, cognition, and physical function. It is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of all cases. Although Alzheimer’s primarily affects older adults, it is not a normal part of aging. Early onset Alzheimer’s can develop in people as young as their 30s or 40s.
According to the World Alzheimer Report 2022, an estimated 50 million people worldwide live with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. By 2030, this number is expected to almost double to over 130 million. In the United States alone, it is estimated that 5.8 million people have Alzheimer’s disease.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease typically develop gradually and worsen over time. They can differ from person to person and change over time. The early signs of Alzheimer’s are often subtle and can be easily missed. It is important to be aware of these signs so that you can seek medical help if necessary.
The most common early symptom of Alzheimer’s disease is difficulty recalling recent events or conversations. This can sometimes be chalked up to “senior moments” and is not necessarily cause for concern on its own. However, if these episodes become more frequent or start to interfere with your daily life, it may be a sign of a more serious problem.
Other early signs of Alzheimer’s include having trouble planning or problem-solving, difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, work, or leisure, confusion about time or place, trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships, new problems with words when speaking or writing, misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps to find them again, decreased or poor judgement, withdrawing from work or social activities, changes in mood and personality, and increasing paranoia or suspiciousness.
If you notice any of these changes in yourself or a loved one, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible so that an accurate diagnosis can be made. Early diagnosis is critical to getting the best possible treatment and care for Alzheimer’s disease. There is no one test that can definitively diagnose Alzheimer’s disease; rather, it is usually diagnosed based on a combination of medical history, cognitive testing, neurological examination, brain imaging scans, and laboratory tests.
