Major Alzheimer's Disease Warning Signs

Estimates place the number of individuals afflicted by Alzheimer's disease in the United States at 5.1 million. Women account for nearly two-thirds of all Alzheimer's disease patients in the United States. Although not specifically age-related, the likelihood of developing this condition rises significantly with advancing age.

Frequently, distinguishing Alzheimer's disease from other forms of dementia-causing conditions proves difficult, as the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease sometimes mimic those of other dementias. Today, experts rank Alzheimer's disease as the sixth leading cause of death. This health condition costs the United States health care system a staggering 226 billion dollars annually. Unfortunately, a cure does not currently exist for Alzheimer's disease, though considerable medical research continues in an effort to develop effective treatments.

Problem Solving Skills Decline

Yet another possible, but elusive, symptom of Alzheimer's disease relates to a gradual decline in problem-solving skills. This loss may impact both reasoning and logic as well as math abilities. For instance, an elderly man who excelled at mathematics previously may find himself unable to tally up monthly grocery bills accurately. A woman who always prepares a particular holiday dish may lose the ability to follow the recipe correctly.

Since numerous causes exist for these types of issues, Alzheimer's disease remains a potential diagnostic "rule-out". However, a loss of problem-solving skills, especially in an elderly individual, may warrant consulting a medical specialist trained in diagnosing dementia.

Repeated Short-Term Memory Losses

One of the most widely recognized symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease is repeated short-term memory failures. Patients with Alzheimer's disease frequently forget information they heard recently. Sometimes, relying extensively on reminder services or written calendar notes indicates a short term memory problem, but not always.

If a senior has been told information several times by others but forgets each time soon afterward, others should check to determine whether Alzheimer's disease has caused this problem. Since many causes of senior dementia produce memory loss, a trained medical specialist should diagnose a potential Alzheimer's disease patient. Sometimes strokes, concussions, or other medical issues impair short-term memory.