|
Because early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD) progress slowly, diagnosis is difficult and often delayed. The disease's course varies from person to person. Eight years is the average length of time from diagnosis of Alzheimer's to death. Survival begins to decline three years after diagnosis, but some people live more than a decade with the disease. Stages of AD: In individuals with AD, changes in the brain may begin 10-20 years before any visible signs or symptoms appear. Some regions of the brain may begin to shrink (found during brain imaging such as positron emission tomography or PET), resulting in memory loss and the first visible sign of AD. Over time, AD progresses through three main stages including mild (early), moderate, and severe. Mild symptoms: Individuals with mild symptoms of AD often seem healthy, but mental deterioration, such as memory impairment and confusion, are occurring. Symptoms and early signs of Alzheimer's disease may include: difficulty learning and remembering new information, difficulty with daily tasks (such as managing finances, planning meals, and taking medication on schedule), and depression symptoms (sadness, decreased interest in usual activities, loss of energy). The individual is usually still able to do most activities such as driving a car, but may get lost going to familiar places. People with early and mild symptoms of AD may exhibit mood swings. They may express distrust in others, show increased stubbornness, and withdraw socially. This may be a response to the frustration they feel as they notice uncontrollable changes in their memory. Restlessness also is a common sign. As the disease progresses, people with Alzheimer's may become anxious or aggressive and behave inappropriately. Moderate symptoms: In individuals with moderate symptoms of AD, the damaging processes occurring in the brain worsen and spread to other areas that control language, reasoning, sensory processing, and thought. In this stage, symptoms and signs of AD become more severe and behavioral problems may become more obvious. Signs and symptoms of moderate Alzheimer's disease may include forgetting old facts, continually repeating stories, and/or asking the same questions over and over. The individual may make up stories to fill memory gaps. They have difficulty performing tasks such as keeping a checkbook, shopping for groceries, or following written notes. The individual may not shower or go to the toilet as they did previously, and help with these tasks is needed. They become agitated and restless easily. Repetitive movements, such as rocking to and fro or rubbing the hands, are seen. The individual may wander off and needs to be watched closely. Paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations may occur. Deficiencies in intlect and reasoning, along with a lack of concern for appearance, hygiene, and sleep, become more noticeable. Severe symptoms: In the advanced stage of AD, damage to the brain's nerve cells is widespread. At this point, full-time care is typically required. The patient is generally bed-ridden. For friends, family, and Alzheimer's caregivers, this can be the most difficult stage. Individuals with severe Alzheimer's disease may have difficulty walking and they often suffer complications from other illnesses such as pneumonia. Signs of severe Alzheimer's disease may include groaning, screaming, mumbling, or speaking gibberish. They refuse to eat and may inappropriately cry out. Individuals with severe or advanced symptoms fail to recognize the faces of family members or caregivers. Apraxia (inability to perform physical tasks such as dressing, eating) and aphasia (loss of ability in comprehension of spoken or written language) are seen. They have great difficulty with all essential activities of daily life.
 |
Learn
