What Are the Symptoms of Alzheimer's?

Alzheimer's is a disorder that invokes fear in many people. Everybody is vulnerable regardless of age, gender or ethnicity and there is no cure at this time, although researchers are working to find one. Currently Alzheimer's targets mostly older people over the age of 65. Some statistics even point to as much as 50% of people over the age of 85 may have Alzheimer's.

If you're experiencing Alzheimer's symptoms. you are not alone. You should know that it is important to seek out medical care as soon as possible to rule out other possible causes that could be mimicking Alzheimer's symptoms. And if you do have an Alzheimer's diagnosis it's important to get treatment early.

Alzheimer's symptoms are sometimes confused with symptoms of other disorders which is why it's important to have a thorough medical exam by your doctor and rule out other root causes for your symptoms and not attempt to self-diagnose. For example, some of the symptoms of Alzheimer's mimic the same symptoms of depression. Withdrawing from social activities, friends, family and activities that you used to enjoy and spending more time watching TV or sleeping are common symptoms for both depression and Alzheimer's.

Other symptoms of Alzheimer's include wide mood swings, feeling angry, paranoid, and sad or crying more for no apparent reason. These can also be symptoms of a multitude of disorders including depression or even bipolar disorder. It's not just part of getting older to experience rapid mood swings for no discernible reason, so don't ignore these symptoms because you think it’s just part of the aging process.

However, Alzheimer symptoms are not always easy to confuse with other disorders. For example, while it's common for people of any age to lose their car keys or misplace their wallet, it's not common to find lost objects in odd or bizarre locations. For example if you lose your car keys and find them in the dishwasher or the freezer this is a red flag and cause for concern.

Other Alzheimer's symptoms include forgetting how to do simple things that you have always been able to do without giving it much thought such as driving, cooking, knitting or even taking a walk or holding a conversation. If you find yourself confused about where you're at, how you got there or unable to complete a simple task without becoming confused, it's time to make an appointment with your doctor and talk about Alzheimer's or other possible root causes for your symptoms.

Alzheimer's disorder is progressive and your symptoms will get worse over time. That's why it's important to catch it early so you can plan for your future, and get any type of treatment available to help slow the spread of your dementia symptoms. Ignoring the symptoms of Alzheimer's will not make the disorder go away, but it might make it harder for you to get help and it might make it harder you plan for your future if you can’t even remember your past.