What are the Signs and Symptoms Archives

Lesser Known Early Signs of Alzheimer’s

Lesser known early signs of Alzheimer’s you must know

One of the greatest impairments of the human faculties is the loss of cognitive function. Difficulty or inability to recall information, performing regular tasks such as walking, tying shoelaces or buttoning shirts, and gradually higher order tasks such as writing or problem solving, could be signaling the signs of Alzheimer’s disease. The disease mostly affects adults of 65 years of age and above, though the symptoms could appear as early as 40 years. Here’s what you need to know about some of the lesser known Early Signs and Symptoms .

Alzheimer’s disease progressively limits and incapacitates the brain to remember and retain information, and perform functions that are otherwise simple and ordinary or second to human nature. This could be very frustrating for the one affected by this disease. Alzheimer’s is the most common of all cases reported of dementia, a wider term used for degenerative functions and diseases of the brain.

Despite advancements in medical science, prevention and cure, there is still no conclusive study or research on what causes Alzheimer’s and how to cure it. It becomes highly important to be aware of the subtle signs that could be indicative of Alzheimer’s disease. Seek the doctor’s advice if you notice any of the symptoms below in yourself or your loved ones.

Mood swings and behavioral issues
One of the lesser known symptoms or signs of Alzheimer’s are mood swings – or sudden changes in behavior. Signs could include feeling depressed, irritability, overreacting to minor issues, or showing an unusual lack of interest in activities that were otherwise enjoyable. Occasionally, individuals may seem withdrawn from life activities and may remain silent or unresponsive. Patients have been reported to undergo a phenomenal change in personality and behavioral responses especially once they are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or any other form of dementia. Such signs should not be dismissed as normal or part of the aging process, it is important to consult with a physician to identify conditions.

The failing sense of smell
Perhaps the most suitable of all indicators and commonly unnoticeable, is the failing olfactory function, or sense of smell. Research is suggesting that patients could show a distinct inability to identify scent, recall the experience, and associate or distinguish between various smells, as an indicator of Alzheimer’s disease. Since the disease is degenerative in impact, the human faculties including the basis sense of smell could be impaired.

Increasing confusion and inability to solve problems
Patients are also reported to experience anxiety and demonstrate an inability to solve simple problems such as following given steps to complete an action, deciphering meaning and implications of words, making connections, and repeating an otherwise ordinary task. This could also include patients getting confused about what day it is, whether they locked the door, or recall what they were doing an hour ago, or on a particular day or vacation. This state of confusion could progress into more advanced stages of Alzheimer’s. Although not conclusive, these are classic symptoms of the onset of the disease.

Sleep disorders and disorientation
Some research is corroborating that patients suffering from sleep disorders could develop Alzheimer’s or some form of dementia in later life. Therefore, a healthy and balanced lifestyle adds great value to general well-being and strength, and the absence of it could lead to cognitive impairments of various kind. Patients may often experience disorientation, e.g. what direction to take, which words to choose to convey a message, and how to respond to different situations.
These disorientations clubbed together with occasional to frequent memory loss, such as, where the car keys were last kept, where the superstore is located and how to reach it, significantly impact the quality of life and contribute to anxiety and depression among patients, and even family members and caregivers.

Lifestyle and preventive measures
While available research suggests that Alzheimer’s is incurable or the effects irreversible, a preventive approach could keep the disease away. There is always hope. A healthy lifestyle has far reaching effects and impact on the quality of life. One must be aware of what productive actions to take for a healthy and balanced lifestyle, and identify the routines and regimens that promote and support overall well-being.

The preventive approach advocates for consistent routines in
• regular exercise
• positive and productive social engagements and interactions
• managing stress and sleep schedules
• eating healthy and avoiding alcohol and substance abuse

Much of what we eat determines our general health and well-being. Taking the right nutrients and supplements adds value to the consistent routines of managing a good and healthy lifestyle. Be wise! Start today!
Diagnosis and planning for the future

While the different symptoms reported are indicative, experiencing any one or all of them may not always conclude one has Alzheimer’s. Be very focused in your approach to understanding the disease and read articles and books, and use mobile apps, to get the right information. However, do not ignore and overlook symptoms if they persist and affect the quality of life. Often patients are unable to identify these changes in themselves and deny symptoms, which are otherwise noticeable to family and close friends. A complete medical assessment is required to diagnose any degenerative disease of the brain.

A positive mindset. A positive outlook towards life.
While a healthy lifestyle and increased opportunities of engaging in cognitive activities could prevent degenerative diseases of the brain, none of the symptoms, if persisting, should be ignored. Be attentive to changes in your loved ones and yourself. Answer these concerns and learn more about the disease. Establish a healthy lifestyle and exercise the brain with mind relaxing exercises, and other various activities like crosswords, solving riddles and puzzles, and, engaging in rich discourse on topics of interest with friends and family, and such like. Seek medical advice to rule out the symptoms as Alzheimer’s. Remember, there is always hope and ways to manage the quality of life by developing coping mechanisms, accepting support and care from family and friends, and accepting the changes to plan for a better future. Keep well!

Author: Alma Causey
Alma is a mother, wife and a professional blogger. She writes frequently on health, technology and management. Her time is divided between writing and creating exotic cuisines in the kitchen. She loves to discover new places and you’ll often find her globe-trotting with her twins. Find her on Twitter: @Almacausey

6 Warning Signs in Elderly Should Never be Ignored

06/243 Comments

6 Warning signs in Elderly that should never be ignored

Taking care of a senior is very critical and we must always be alert for health warning signs. As people advance in age, especially when in advance stages of Alzheimer’s or Dementia, they may appear to be more childlike. If an elderly person has dementia, there may be specific things that he/she take special interests in while losing focus on other important things in their life. We must be aware of any Health Warning Signs.

Older folks generally require special attention, and there are times when as a caregiver you will notice that they have started to develop changes or new behaviors. Depending on age, you may notice that some older folks forget minor things and have a low concentration on what they are doing. Others may develop new sleeping habits while some have difficulty sleeping which makes them restless. As a caregiver, there are six signs you should never ignore at all cost.

Throbbing tooth

This happens mostly when you serve a cold meal. They may feel a sharp twinge or dull throb. This warning sign is primarily associated with a damaged tooth nerve due to cracking or rotting of the pearly white surrounding. If you ignore this, the bacteria continue to develop, and it can infect the inner nerve system right from the mouth down the entire body. Instead of taking the older adult through a hard time trying to treat an already spread problem, a simple regular cavity check is necessary. It will help eliminate the problem with minimum side effects.

Sharp side pain

A sharp, consistent pain on the right side can lead to severe problems and should be considered a warning sign. This may be an appendicitis problem or ovarian cyst. This pain is developed when something blocks the way where the appendix empties into the colon. As the organ gets dangerously inflamed, it can cause a dangerous and terrible pain. The inflammation may even lead to the organ bursting. The ovarian cyst or twist can block the blood flow to the ovaries within few hours. If this is the case, you may be looking for a possible emergency surgery. If you ignore the on and off right side pain in an old person, the damage may become unbearable.

Severe head pain

Often, the headache has been a normal problem with both old and young people. When you take long hours under direct sun heat, you are likely to feel the head pain. Another common reason for head pain is when you have excessive pressure to perform and deliver an individual task, but you don’t have the relative credentials to meet your target. This does not raise the alarm.

However, if you notice extensive severe head pain, accompanied by other symptoms like a visual aura, a headache could be a warning sign. It can be a signal for a brain aneurysm. If this is the case, then the risks of the weak spots tearing or leaking may bring a severe headache. This problem can even block the blood supply to specific tissues due to escaping blood. At such times, you should ensure that you keep the old person under immediate physician watch to make sure that the problem is regulated before it gets out of control.

Excessive back pain

Most seniors face back pain. This is a problem that you will often note after extreme seating or bending. When the old person gets into activities that involve seating, bending or jumping up and down, you will find that they are not actively engaging in the activity. Back pain problems also are attracted to an issue with the bones. If you note such issues, the appropriate thing to do is engage the person in activities such as body massage.

Sudden memory loss

Old people tend to have a short concentration span. This problem gets intense for those with Alzheimer’s dementia as they may even forget where their rooms are or what they were supposed to do within a particular time. Other older folks may not remember their name or other basic things like if they have eaten or taken a shower. The best way to help the person with their memory is by introducing short-term activities that will keep their brain more active.

Loss of appetite

As a caregiver at Stroke rehab home, you should be able to tell when a senior within your watch does not eat. Often, loss of appetite can be a warning sign associated with symptoms of being sick. However, lack of appetite can also mean the person wants a change of diet. Therefore, you should always ensure you find out the problem behind the appetite loss.

Author: Edward Francis is interested in writing about health and fitness related issues. He has a deep knowledge of this field. Edward also works for care homes and retirement villages.

Difference between Alzheimer’s and Normal Aging

06/2610 Comments

Difference between Alzheimer’s and

Normal Aging?

Folks often wonder about the Difference between Alzheimer’s and Normal Aging. And what that difference might be?

It doesn’t matter what age you are, there are times when you will forget where you left the car or the house keys. You may even forget someone’s name or phone number. This is normal and can happen to anyone, modern lives are busy and there can be too many things going on to remember every detail.

However, when this happens to older people the assumption is instantly that it is age related or the onset of Alzheimer’s / Dementia. In fact memory loss is not an inevitable part of aging and it is important to understand the difference between Alzheimer’s dementia and Normal Aging:

Forgetfulness

It is a fact that as you age, your brain activity changes and your mental responses slow. This can mean that you are unable to recall a familiar name or place. This is not age related memory loss but simply the change in brain processes. Give yourself a few moments and you will recall the information.

Brain cells
Brain cells can be produced at any age, these are not something that disappear and cannot be replaced. The brain is an organ but in many ways it functions like a muscle; if you do not use it then it will weaken. Regular mental exercise is essential for reproducing brain cells and remaining healthy.

What causes age related memory loss?

Memory loss is caused by the deterioration of the hippocampus; this is the part of the brain which stores and retrieves memories. It is also influenced by a natural decline in the nutrients produced by the body to stimulate and repair brain cells. This is also because older people tend to be less able to absorb nutrients into their bodies. As you become less active it is also common for blood flow to decrease to the brain and this can affect its ability to perform.

Dementia

Normal age related memory loss is an ability to remember some things; this can come and go depending upon the situation and the available stimuli. Dementia is a continual decline in memory ability combined with an increasing inability to perform daily tasks. It is generally defined as a marked decline in two or more of a person’s intellectual abilities – such as memory and judgment. There are clear differences in your ability to do something when you have age related memory loss as opposed to dementia or even Alzheimer’s:

• Independent function – this is perfectly possible with age related memory loss; albeit with a few lapses in memory along the way. This is not possible with dementia where there will be difficulty undertaking many tasks even when you have completed them hundreds of times in the past.
• Recalling Forgetfulness – If you can recall your memory lapse then it is age related, if you are not aware that you have had a memory lapse then it is Dementia or similar.
• Location – As you age and your brain slows you may need to pause and get your bearings, even when in a familiar place. This is normal but if you are unable to follow directions or get lost in a familiar place then it is likely that you have the onset of dementia.
• Conversations – Age will mean that you forget odd words but it will not stop you from holding a conversation. Dementia will; many words become forgotten and often the same phrase or story is repeated numerous times – in the same conversation.
• Making Decisions – Age related memory loss will not affect your key skills of decision making or even common sense. Those who are suffering from dementia will struggle to make sensible decisions and have poor judgment. This will probably develop into an inability to conduct themselves appropriately in social situations.

It is essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle, physical activity, a good diet and regular mental activity will help to stave off any memory related problems. If you do suspect you or your loved one has an issue then you should seek professional help at the earliest opportunity. Dementia is an incurable disease that can’t be hidden from the people you loved most. Sooner or later it will become obvious that you’re forgetting things you shouldn’t. Rather than hide this from your loved ones, it’s always best to seek assistance.

Author: Edward Francis and Foresthc.com

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The Sage Test – An Easy test to Monitor your Cognitive Abilities

01/112 Comments

The Sage Test – An Easy test to Monitor Your Cognitive Abilities

The biggest problem with Alzheimer’s, (other than not having a cure) has always been that most folks aren’t diagnosed until they are far into the middle stages. Many of the signs and symptoms can be attributed to normal aging and may be neglected until it becomes much worse.

My mother was so far into the disease by the time she was diagnosed that the standard drugs used to slow the progression no longer worked for her.

Mom had hearing problems and we tended to blame poor hearing for many of her issues with conversations and other cognitive problems. To make matters worse, she did not want to wear her hearing aid so that served to reinforce our beliefs. Surely, Mom’s problem was nothing more serious than a deaf ear.

So we were in a constant battle to fix her problem which we saw as a lack of hearing, instead of searching for the real answer to Mom’s problems. Alzheimer’s Dementia.

The first time we took her the doctor for all the issues she was having, they gave her a simple word test and we knew, right away, she had Alzheiemer’s.

The SAGE Test: A Self-Administered Gerocognitive Exam (SAGE) is designed to detect early signs of cognitive, memory or thinking impairments. It evaluates your thinking abilities and helps physicians to know how well your brain is working. – You can learn more from the video below or download the Sage test for yourself at this link: Ohio State University

Then take the completed test with you for your next appointment with your physisican. It will help your Doctor know how you’re doing cognitively

The Video below shows how this test works and the benefits that can be gained by an earlier diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Dementia

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Do Those with dementia always have Aphasia?

10/032 Comments

Do those with dementia have Aphasia?

Do those with dementia have Aphasia since it’s so difficult for them to stay tuned to a conversation? Aphasia is an inability to understand or use words for communication. This includes spoken and written words and can be a devastating illness since it also affects writing and reading.

Since someone with dementia also has problems with words and conversation, you might think everyone with dementia has Aphasia. But that isn’t always true.

You don’t have Aphasia simply because you have dementia.

Aphasia is caused by damage or injury to the brain which can occur as the dementia worsens. But most often, Aphasia is caused by a stroke, or brain injuries from other illnesses such as epilepsy, brain tumor or traumatic brain injury.

Aphasia isn’t always caused by dementia. And, you may have dementia but NOT have Aphasia.

According to the Aphasia Association, of those who survived a stroke 25 to 40% will get Aphasia. But most of those who suffer Aphasia from having a stroke can improve greatly from speech therapy.

Medical New Today says; “Having dementia doesn’t mean you will also have Aphasia, but it could be a symptom of dementia if the “language center” of the brain is affected during cognitive decline of dementia.”

Aphasia affects a persons speech because they have difficulty finding the right words or using the right words when speaking and don’t understand the words they hear from others. Since they can’t communicate, they become very confused. Since they are confused by written words as well, their reading and writing abilities are impaired and it becomes more difficult for the person with Aphasia to communicate with others.

This lack of speaking or knowing words is not a direct affect of Cognitive Decline (such as with dementia), nor intellectual ability. So not everyone who has dementia will have Aphasia.

The damage done to the brain by dementia may result in Aphasia, but those cases are fewer in number than those of stroke or other brain damage. And it is not a certainty that someone with dementia will have Aphasia.

Listed below are 7 Tips for communicating with someone who has Aphasia from the Medical News Today . I think most of these tips would also be helpful to keep in mind while speaking with a loved one with dementia as well.

How do you communicate with someone that has Aphasia? The following are some tips on how to communicate with someone that has aphasia and may be helpful for those with dementia as well:

Try to keep sentences short and simple and avoid questions that require a complicated answer.
Do not change the subject of conversation too quickly.
Minimize distracting background noises.
When the person with aphasia is replying, try not to pressure them for a response and give them plenty of time to answer.
Try not to correct their language as they may find this frustrating.
Remember that their disorder is affecting the way they communicate, their tone may not necessarily reflect their mood.
Try to keep a notepad/some paper and a pen to hand, this may help you or them to communicate.

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Speech Therapy Aphasia RehabilitationMore info Language Intervention StrategiesMore info Successful Communication with Persons with Alzheimer’sMore info

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I remember the story of a friend. Her father with dementia would never speak. He appeared interested in what they had to say but he would not speak nor join a lively conversation. They believed he had aphasia and either didn’t understand, or couldn’t find the words.

Then one day, an ad for ‘Oldies from the 50’s” (pop music) blasted from the television.’ “Dad,” chimed in with every artist and sang a sweet duet. He knew all the words to every song from his youth and sang them without a stutter–word for word.

Never give up. Continue to think “out of the box” — What does your loved one like; to talk about, to listen to, to dance to. There is always something that will catch their attention and allow them a fun day or hour.

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50’s Ultimate Rock & Roll CollectionMore info Greatest Hits of the 50’sMore info Musicals Classics 50 Movie Pack CollectionMore info SITCOM SAMPLER, Film clips from your favorites. TV comedy nostalgia, 50s, 60s.More info

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