10 Early Signs of Alzheimer's Disease or Other Dementia

Memory is considered one of many phenomena that are still not fully understood. Each of us is familiar with situations when you forget your house keys, a planned meeting slips out of your head, etc. Small lapses in memory occur for everyone, but if they happen too often, there is reason to think about it. This may be a symptom of a serious illness. Memory loss occurs in both young and old people. The second option is more common and popular. Unfortunately, close relatives and friends of older people often do not attach due importance to memory loss.

Memory loss: what is it called and what is it?

There are four processes into which memory is divided: remembering, storing, reproducing and forgetting. In this material we will talk about the last of them. In medicine, memory loss is called amnesia. There are two main types: partial and complete. The first option is a completely normal situation, because every person is prone to forgetting something insignificant. As for the second type, it represents the loss of memories completely. However, it should be noted that amnesia in this form is treatable.

Memory loss occurs mainly in older people. Close people need to make every effort to protect their elderly friend or relative from such an illness. Even if there are no obvious reasons for concern, it is still worth closely monitoring the situation. As you know, everything happens from small to large: from forgetting what you did two days ago to complete amnesia.

Short-term type of memory loss

Short-term memory loss is common among older people. It is characterized by the loss of vivid memories of events that happened several days or months ago. This syndrome lasts for a couple of minutes, it cannot last for years.

The causes of this disease can be head injuries, medication, and infectious diseases. Sometimes short-term memory loss occurs when trying to lose weight through fasting and strict diets. As for older people, the most common source of the problem is taking medications. Medical experts call this syndrome “forgetfulness of the elderly.” It can be cured with certain medications, good nutrition principles and some tips to improve brain function.

Acute type amnesia

This type of memory loss is very similar to the previous one. Observed most often in older people, it manifests itself in the fact that there is a rapid deviation from the intended goal. The simplest example: a person goes to the kitchen to get water, and along the way he forgets what he wanted to do. Severe amnesia also occurs in young people. This is due to a disruption in the functioning of the brain. From a medical point of view, a reaction occurs that is similar to a mini-stroke, and previous activities suffer from this.

Among the reasons for the appearance of such an illness are a sharp rise from a sitting position and other similar actions. Memory loss in older people has more serious consequences. Therefore, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. The doctor will prescribe medications aimed at improving vascular activity, which will benefit the elderly.

Classification of the disease

Throughout the disease, a pattern of progressive disorders is observed. According to symptoms, there are four stages of Alzheimer's: predementia, early, moderate and severe. Slow degradation occurs over an average of 7 years, ending in the death of the patient.

Initial stage (pre-dementia)

The first manifestations of Alzheimer's disease, such as memory impairment and lack of concentration, are mistakenly perceived by relatives as manifestations of aging. Problems with the performance of everyday functions are still barely noticeable. It is typical that already at this time the person becomes apathetic, which persists throughout the disease.

Early stage

Memory continues to decline. The patient retains clear consciousness and high sensitivity, but the ability to normally perceive information is lost. For example, a person does not recognize or partially recognizes familiar faces. Or he cannot determine which objects in his environment have the same color. Clumsiness in performing daily tasks appears, fine motor skills are impaired. With some manipulations, the patient requires help, although he can still do many things on his own.

Moderate stage

The condition is worsening, as evidenced by obvious speech impairments. To replace a forgotten word, a person often selects the wrong words. Consistent movements are difficult. Most everyday tasks require significant effort. Psychiatric deviations appear, for example, the idea of ​​vagrancy. Irritability can come and go quickly. Symptoms of delirium often occur. The person becomes whiny. It happens that he resists help. In order to smooth out the increase in general stress, relatives often move the sick person to a hospital for care.

Severe stage

At this stage, the patient cannot live without outside help. He is able to pronounce individual words and phrases, understands other people's speech and can show emotions. The condition is characterized as apathetic, exhausted. In the end, even small actions are impossible without the participation of others.

Based on its form, Alzheimer's disease is divided into presenile and senile. The first is a disease detected before age 65. The senile form refers to patients older than this age. Presenile dementia is characterized by rapid progression, family history, and rapid impairment of speech functions. The pace of progress depends on the standard of living, type of activity, heredity, and the presence of chronic diseases.

Senile dementia develops slowly at first. The first stages last 2-4 years. Temporary improvements in condition are characteristic. An elderly patient remembers the past perfectly, but does not perceive new knowledge. As it progresses, false memories arise, and people from the current environment are associated with people from their youth. There is no complete breakdown of speech. On the contrary, a sick person can speak vividly to the end and retain a rich vocabulary.

Sudden amnesia

Here we will talk about the loss of memories, which can be fatal. This refers to cases where people leave home to go to the store, and then cannot find their way back due to forgetfulness. Unfortunately, modern medicine has not yet fully studied this phenomenon, so the question remains open.

Those who experience sudden memory loss cannot remember their name or anything else from their past. The danger of this type of amnesia is the inability to determine the sources of the disease. It turns out that no one is immune from such a phenomenon; even all the preventive measures in the world will not help. Of course, there are cases when memories are completely lost due to a head injury or infection, but most situations cannot be rationally explained. Such patients often go missing, and if they are found, it is very difficult to determine anything. Close relatives only rarely show up, which makes the problem even more serious.

Sclerosis: what is it?

Many people equate amnesia with senile sclerosis, but this is wrong. Sclerosis is a full-fledged disease in which some brain cells die. This development of events is associated with the accumulation of cholesterol plaques in the vessels, which interferes with the blood circulation process. Sclerosis rarely attacks young people, but older people are more affected. Let's find out why:

• The blood supply is disrupted a priori. It is logical that when the body ages, the blood vessels also age, losing their elasticity. Sclerosis in such situations manifests itself as insomnia and irritability.
• Cell restoration occurs slowly. With age, the regeneration process slows down significantly, and renewal is necessary for normal life.
• Degradation of processes occurring in the body. As you know, the brain transmits impulses to nerve cells; in older people, this function works worse, due to which mental and motor activity decreases.

Treatment and patient care

Therapy for Alzheimer's disease includes a set of measures, including drug treatment, psychosocial correction, and patient care.

There are no medications that can cure the disease. To treat cognitive impairment, doctors prescribe chemicals from the group of inhibitors that can delay the course of physiological processes in the body, as well as NMDA receptor antagonists, designed to reduce the manifestation of negative symptoms.

Behavioral correction involves the use of art therapy, music therapy, communication with animals and stimulation of any type of activity in the patient. The goal is to improve the patient’s quality of life.

No care is required at first. We are talking only about help in performing certain functions, possible tips. Relatives cope with this successfully. But in the last stages of Alzheimer's disease, the patient requires complete care. If relatives do not have the opportunity to constantly be with the patient, a nurse is hired for these purposes. Many people choose help from specialized institutions.

A good example is the private boarding house “Idyll” in Yekaterinburg. The cost of the stay is comparable to the pension of many patients. The institution employs doctors and medical staff who are well acquainted with the specifics of diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Elderly people are provided with 24-hour care. Restorative and cultural events are being carried out.

Causes of amnesia

To determine the severity of the disease, it is necessary to study the sources. The causes of memory loss are often:

• chronic illnesses of any nature, severe blows and severe head injuries;
• disorders of brain activity, destruction of nerve cells, disorders;
• insomnia, sedentary lifestyle, metabolic disorders in the body;
• lesions leading to improper blood circulation, depression and stress, attacks of chronic fatigue;
• lethargy or overexcitement, poor nutrition.

Amnesia sometimes occurs due to excessive thoughtfulness and distracted attention. Young people should carefully examine their behavior in order to get rid of all preconditions. You can experience memory loss after a strong shock, such as a car or plane crash.

Signs

Loss of memories can act as a full-fledged disease, which has its own causes and symptoms. We've looked at the sources, now let's talk about the signs:

• a person does not fulfill his promise due to forgetfulness;
• there is often inattention in the conduct of business;
• absent-mindedness, speech disturbances appear;
• irritability for no apparent reason, the person himself cannot explain why he is so angry;
• sometimes you can track changes in handwriting;
• chronic fatigue, rapid fatigue, constant bad mood not caused by any factors.

Memory loss disease, accompanied by these symptoms, can develop in a person aged 40-50 years. If you notice such signs in your loved one, you should consult a doctor to prescribe treatment. In any case, older people should undergo therapy regardless of the manifestations of the disease.

Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease

Neither patients nor their loved ones can say exactly when the changes began. The person becomes forgetful and cannot remember individual words. The mood often changes, tearfulness and touchiness occur. Possible sleep disturbances. Poor night sleep gives way to daytime sleepiness.

The first symptoms of Alzheimer's over time are complemented by other manifestations:

• the circle of interests narrows, life becomes monotonous;
• lack of composure, confusion, suspiciousness, and uncertainty are manifested in everything;
• professional skills are lost;
• It becomes more and more difficult to perform everyday tasks;
• a person gets lost in the area, disoriented in space;
• degradation of thought processes occurs.

Visual dysfunction is added to acquired dementia. In the final stages, the sick person does not recognize loved ones, cannot eat, dress, or take care of himself.

Diagnostics

Before prescribing therapy, the attending physician must conduct a study to identify the disease. Diagnostics involves determining the nature of amnesia, which in the future will provide a complete picture for restoring memory processes. The most effective laboratory tests for determining the diagnosis are: EEG, computed tomography, biochemical general blood test, duplex scanning, etc.

The specific procedure is prescribed by the attending physician depending on the situation. Basically, the study of the brain and all its processes takes place. Based on the results of the study, the doctor makes a diagnosis. Then a treatment method is selected and therapy is prescribed. It is not recommended to recover on your own, because taking certain medications will only worsen the situation, possibly causing a stroke or heart attack.

How to treat memory loss?

This depends, first of all, on the nature of the problem. There are at least two types of therapy in this situation: medication and psychological. First, let's look at the first option.

Partial memory loss is treated with the following medications:

• "Trental" will improve the process of blood circulation in the brain;
• “Piracetam” and “Actovegin” are aimed at preventing the destruction of neurons (these are cells of the nervous system that ensure the transmission of information from the brain);
• "Glycine" is used to improve memory function.

A number of other seemingly similar drugs differ in their contraindications and side effects. It is for this reason that self-medication is prohibited.

Causes of the disease

Doctors have not yet achieved a complete understanding of the cause of Alzheimer’s and the course of the disease. Apparently, the whole point is the accumulation of peculiar protein deposits in the brain tissue, which are recorded using computer, magnetic resonance and other types of tomography.

The main risk factor is old age. If under the age of 70 Alzheimer's disease is registered in three cases per 1000 people, then in 80-year-olds it is already up to 20 cases, and in 90-year-olds it is 70 cases per 1000 people. The disease is extremely rare in people under 60 years of age. Elderly women get sick more often than men.

Doctors attach great importance to genetic predisposition. A defective gene leading to the appearance of forms of proteins with neurotoxic properties was found in 50% of patients.

According to doctors, other reasons can serve as the impetus for the onset of the disease:

• brain injuries and concussions;
• psychological disorders;
• vascular problems;
• regular alcohol intake, nicotine addiction;
• obesity;
• low intellectual activity.

In patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's, after autopsy, so-called senile plaques are discovered - spherical extracellular foci of brain damage, which have negative consequences on the nervous system and brain functions.

Psychotherapy

Psychological treatment involves restoring the functioning of the brain system through sessions with professionals. The most effective is complex therapy, including medications and communication with psychologists. Speech pathologists and psychotherapists quite often limit themselves to solving riddles, puzzles, and board games. Such simple methods help to activate brain activity, which sooner or later will lead to a positive result.

If a severe case is observed, specialists use hypnosuggestive therapy. Hypnosis allows a person to remember many moments from life. But such treatment should only be carried out by a professional, because there is a chance of worsening the situation.

Preventive actions

Preventive, that is, prophylactic measures, can slow down the development of the disease, but whether it can be prevented, scientists do not have a consensus.

To prevent Alzheimer's disease, it is recommended for older people to:

• lead an active life;
• be interested in new electronics;
• master the computer and use of gadgets;
• stimulate brain activity, read, find new hobbies.

Moderate physical exercise, especially outdoors, is very beneficial. At this time, the blood is saturated with oxygen, the brain structures begin to function better, which reduces the risk of vascular disorders.

When cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases are detected, it is important to treat them promptly. Normal organ function prevents the development of Alzheimer's type dementia.

Daily regime

How to treat memory loss in older people? It is not recommended to send them to special medical institutions, this will only worsen the situation. An older person will recover faster in the circle of people close to him. On the part of relatives it is necessary to provide:

• the old man sleeps at least 9 hours a day, and maybe more, depending on his age;
• a calm atmosphere in the house: forget about quarrels and arguments, it is advisable not to raise your voice when talking;
• attention: sometimes a small conversation is enough for an elderly person, it is better to spend as much time as possible with him (play, walk, watch TV, etc.);
• fresh air: you need to walk with the old man every day, at least an hour, preferably twice a day;
• moderate physical activity: here we mean morning exercises; if it is difficult for an elderly person, do gymnastics together.

The key word in the last factor is moderate. Under no circumstances should overload be allowed; this will worsen the general condition of a person. The attending physician will prescribe exercises and the number of times they should be performed after the examination.

Alzheimer's disease is like a road: support during the “long goodbye”

We are publishing an article about Alzheimer's disease from the Canadian medical journal Family Health Online: its signs, recognition, problems faced by the family of the patient, and resources designed to help in such a situation.

When a person hears a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, it is as if he is on a journey. For each of the participants in the process - the patient himself, his loved ones or those who provide care - the route will be unique, his own. This journey is not exclusively pleasant or unpleasant and usually combines the two. Among caregivers - men and women, husbands and wives, sons, daughters, friends - there is no one for whom this path is easy.

Dementia is often viewed as a separate disease. The experience of people with the same diagnosis, regardless of the type of dementia, is always unique. The disease is individual, and even more so, the history of each person is unique.

If your loved one has dementia, an accurate diagnosis is important. Today, many family doctors can diagnose Alzheimer's disease. If your family or general practitioner has additional questions, you can contact specialists. Convincing your loved one to seek medical help can be challenging; It is also sometimes difficult to get your doctor to listen to your concerns (…).

How can you tell if changes happening to a loved one signal a problem or are they just part of the aging process? With age, memory begins to work worse than in youth. However, Alzheimer's disease is more than just forgetfulness.

Photo: Rad Cyrus/Unsplash

Memory problems, one of the first signs, can make it difficult to accept a diagnosis. So, your loved one forgets about yesterday's conversation, but perfectly remembers the name of the pet when he was a child. This casts doubt on the accuracy of the diagnosis. After all, each of us periodically loses our memory of a conversation or the name of a friend. However, for people with Alzheimer's disease, forgetfulness is not a coincidence. With this disease, short-term memory is impaired (your loved one does not remember yesterday's conversation), but memories from long-term memory (for example, the name of a pet) are preserved.

Memory problems in and of themselves do not constitute a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease; at least one or more characteristic symptoms must be present.

The latter must demonstrate a deviation from the normal state; they can be noticed by both the person himself and his family members. These symptoms include:

• Difficulty performing familiar tasks/familiar activities, such as cooking. For example, your loved one can cook meat separately, but not the whole dish, with a side dish of vegetables or salad.
• Difficulties with managing personal finances: bills are not paid or, on the contrary, are paid twice.
• Things are out of place or where they are not usually put: for example, jewelry in a sugar bowl, keys in the refrigerator.
• Difficulties in selecting words, often commonly used, substituting words with meanings that are unusual for them, which makes understanding difficult.
• Disorientation in time and space: your loved one may get lost on the way to the apartment where they have lived for twenty-five years, or call friends at two in the morning to invite them for tea.
• Impaired or reduced ability to judge a situation, changes in mood and behavior, personality changes and loss of initiative.

After diagnosis, a number of issues need to be addressed. It is important to prepare legal documents - it is better to do this in the early stages of the disease. These are a power of attorney to make financial decisions in the event of loss of legal capacity (Enduring Power of Attorney), a power of attorney to make orders regarding private life (Personal Directive), a will (the names of the documents may differ depending on the region of residence). Drafting them can be complex as they involve many personal circumstances, as is the case with legal documents at the end of life. In some cases, such emotional difficulties lead to a split in the family (in Russian realities there are no such well-established legal traditions, but you may need to draw up a will and power of attorney. To learn how this is done, read the material by lawyer Polina Gabay, “Will and other important documents: what you need know about design” - ed.).

Another issue that is important to resolve at the initial stage is driving a car. Some people can drive safely, but others cannot. In some regions (meaning Canada - ed.) it is possible to obtain an independent assessment of driving skills. In small areas, this decision is made by doctors. Regardless of where you live, your family will likely have to deal with the loss of your driving privileges. Some patients are very angry with their caregivers, considering them the reason for the deprivation of their driver's license and the loss of accompanying independence (in the West, special tools have been developed to assess the cognitive abilities of drivers, for example, www.driveable.com - ed.).

Taking medications can also become a stress point. Patients with Alzheimer's disease often either skip medications or take too much of them. The solution may be to live with a caregiver or other form of support. The very act of being helped with medication can be unpleasant for the patient because it indicates a loss of independence.

It is important to remember that the symptoms and signs of the disease progress with it. Many patients lose the ability to perform daily activities. The most mundane tasks become difficult: caring for oneself, getting dressed, preparing meals, cleaning, washing dishes and taking out the trash. Often the patient can help with these tasks if they are broken down into smaller ones. Care professionals can train family members to perform such tasks with the patient.

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia may occur from time to time. Please note that these symptoms do not occur in all patients, and furthermore, all symptoms are never observed in one person.

One of the common behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer's disease is wandering. In the early stages, patients may mention in passing that they forgot where they parked the car, couldn’t find it, and walked home.

As the disease progresses, memory problems are replaced by difficulties with recognition. Patients may ask to “go home” even when they are in their usual surroundings. Often they mean the house where they lived many years ago. The Alzheimer Society has a national program called “Safe Way Home” (the Russian charity Altsrus is developing a similar program - ed.), this is a registry of patients who may wander.

Some people with Alzheimer's disease have hallucinations (for example, seeing or hearing people or animals when no one is there). Others develop delusional disorder (patients believe something that is not true, for example, that their spouse is cheating on them).

Loss of communication skills is difficult for both patients and caregivers. Having to search for the right word or phrase can cause anxiety. If the caregiver misunderstands the patient and, while trying to help, misinterprets the word or phrase the patient is trying to say, it can cause irritation for both of them.

The situation becomes especially difficult when your loved one stops recognizing family members. It is difficult for a husband to accept the fact that his wife can no longer cook, she has difficulty caring for herself, and she wanders. However, when she stops recognizing her own spouse, this is a much more severe loss.

Sometimes patients stop recognizing themselves. So, looking in the mirror, they see an elderly person, without recognizing their older self in him.

Photo: Rendiansyah Nugroho / Unsplash

Transitioning from a home environment to any type of institutional setting can be challenging for both the Alzheimer's patient and the caregiver. In the early stages, some prefer to live in a nursing facility (analogue in Russia - private boarding houses - ed.), where food is prepared for patients and medications are monitored. At later stages, most families turn to institutions providing long-term care (in Russia this is also called “living with full care” - ed.).

Caregivers are often faced with the view that such a move is not easy for the patient. In fact, everything is individual. For many families, moving to a long-term care facility does not pose any challenges. Other families, on the other hand, may face difficulties.

Many relatives have a number of concerns related to their loved one's stay in a care facility. Are there enough staff there? Have employees received the necessary training? Do they care for patients or do they sit alone in their room all day? If my loved one has arthritis and is in pain but cannot communicate it, will they be provided with pain relief? The questions and concerns are endless.

“Don’t stop a person from living in the past” 12 rules that will help in caring for people with dementia from care expert Olga Vygovskaya Olga Vygovskaya

Psychological and psychiatric problems

As with all terminal illnesses, death is part of the journey. However, loved ones of Alzheimer's patients experience death differently. For them, the grieving process begins at the moment of diagnosis, as a loved one gradually disappears before their eyes. First, he loses the ability to do things that previously gave him pleasure. Then he stops recognizing his relatives. Finally, a family loses a loved one before their physical death (sometimes years before). According to the Reagan family, this is a “long goodbye” (Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the United States, had Alzheimer's disease for the last 10 years of his life - ed.).

It is important to remember that while a person is alive, his personality is also alive. From time to time, your loved one may surprise you. A man caring for his wife says that every time he visits her he is forced to explain that he is her husband. To this she replies that he is probably crazy. And they laugh together, although he is really her husband. He treasures these moments because he recognizes his wife’s inherent sense of humor.

Your journey may be long or short. It will have both pleasant and unpleasant moments. This experience can be the most difficult in your family's history... and at the same time the most rewarding. Luckily, this journey doesn't have to be done alone. Thanks to the Alzheimer's Disease Society (this refers to the Canadian organization, www.alzheimer.ca. In Russia, the Alzrus Foundation helps patients with Alzheimer's disease and their families - ed.) there are many resources available that will support you and your loved ones during this way.

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We thank the medical publication Family Health Online for the opportunity to translate this article into Russian and publish it. The article has been partially shortened due to the fact that the laws mentioned in it are relevant for Canadian citizens and have no analogues in Russia. You can find the original text in English at the link.

For the translation into Russian, we thank the volunteer of the Vera Foundation, Evgenia Khandogina.

Family Health Online articles use only verified medical information. However, it is not recommended to rely on Family Health Online articles for treatment or management of any specific medical problem. Family Health Online is not responsible for any such use of our articles. To ensure proper diagnosis and care, it is always necessary to contact your family doctor promptly.

© Publication Rights 2021, Family Health Magazine, a special publication of the Edmonton Journal, a division of Postmedia Network Inc., 10006 - 101 Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 0S1 (City of Edmonton, Canada) [GO_FHc11]

Prevention

It is impossible to completely prevent the disease. The only thing that can be done is to slow down the progression of the disease through preventive measures. Already at the age of 20, a person begins the process of death of brain cells. However, this is not a death sentence; if the correct actions are performed, other cells with the functions of the destroyed ones will be repurposed.

Such processes occur due to a number of factors:

• reading, no matter what kind of literature: be it fiction, historical or documentary;
• learning new skills, including singing, dancing, sewing, etc.;
• learning foreign languages;
• solving puzzles, crosswords and scanwords, this slows down the process of memory loss by an average of three years;
• active life with constant communication.

In addition to the preventive measures described above, it is necessary to exclude the impact of negative factors. This refers to drinking alcohol and smoking. In addition, follow your daily routine: get 8 hours of sleep every day, eat right, and diversify your diet with vegetables and fruits.