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How Does Alzheimer’s Affect The Body?
Alzheimer’s develops in two stages. Early-onset Alzheimer’s can start when a person is in the 30s, while late-onset begins when a patient is in the 60s. In both versions of the disease, people go through cognitive decline. However, the speed and severity of the decline depends on the stage of the disease.
The four stages of Alzheimer’s disease
People with Alzheimer’s will exhibit different signs of the disease at different stages. Stages can also progress rapidly or slowly depending on the patient. The four most prominent stages of Alzheimer’s disease include:
- Preclinical: This is the stage when doctors start to detect signs of Alzheimer’s. Patients may also be diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, a separate condition that sometimes leads to Alzheimer’s disease.
- Mild: People at this stage are considered early-onset.
- Moderate: At this stage, the Alzheimer’s has progressed to a point where the patient’s daily life is affected. The patient may need supervision and help performing daily tasks.
- Severe: When someone reaches this stage of Alzheimer’s, 24/7 care is necessary. The person will have trouble eating, communicating, and may have seizures.
The major signs of Alzheimer’s disease
One of the biggest signs of Alzheimer’s disease is memory loss. This type of memory loss may start off small such as losing train of thought or misplacing keys, but as the disease develops it will become more frequent. Patients may forget entire days or months. Another sign of Alzheimer’s is difficulty with vocabulary. Patients can have trouble saying and sounding out words. Patients will also forget common words and phrases. Alzheimer’s patients will also have trouble with problem-solving. This can cause difficulty in paying bills and performing other duties that involve critical thinking.
Additional signs and symptoms
Once health professionals notice a combination of many symptoms, experts may suggest testing to determine if someone has Alzheimer’s disease. In addition to the major signs of Alzheimer’s, patients can also experience a number of other symptoms:
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of interest in work or social activities
- Poor decision-making skills
- Vision loss or impairment
- Short attention span
- Hallucinations
- Anxiety
- Aggression
- Lack of bladder control
Can Alzheimer’s lead to other diseases?
People with Alzheimer’s disease can die due to complications caused by the disease. One of the biggest complications is the inability to swallow or lack of appetite that occurs at the severe stage. By this point, the patient can develop aspiration pneumonia.
What should I do if I suspect my loved one has Alzheimer’s disease?
The best thing to do is to speak to a qualified healthcare professional. Only a qualified provider can conduct tests and diagnose patients. Schedule an appointment with a trusted healthcare provider to learn more.
