People whose loved ones are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease often are not aware of any changes in the person until the disease has progressed. A forgotten date here, misplaced keys there—it all seems like normal behavior, and these types of follies do happen on occasion. But when these occasions start to rack up, Alzheimer’s disease may be the culprit.

What Happens

Alzheimer’s disease is a disease of the brain. As the disease progresses, it causes nerve cells in the brain to die. This makes it especially hard for the brain to process and transmit signals correctly. This can lead to problems with memory, impaired judgment, and clouded thinking. Patients with Alzheimer’s disease may find going to work difficult, and they may begin to have difficulty performing daily tasks like eating, dressing, and bathing. The death of nerve cells in the brain occurs gradually over a number of years.

Alzheimer’s disease is the primary cause of dementia in many patients. Dementia is not one particular disorder, but rather is a group of symptoms caused by another disorder—in this case, Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia results in the loss of mental functions, including reasoning, memory, and thinking. The loss of function is severe enough to impair a person’s daily activities. Symptoms of dementia can also include changes in mood, personality, and behavior.

Dementia that is brought on by Alzheimer’s disease differs from the dementia experienced by people going through drug or alcohol withdrawal or another disorder. Dementia as a result of Alzheimer’s disease cannot be cured.

In some patients, Alzheimer’s may do its damage over a shorter period than in others. It is important to learn about the disease so patients can be fully armed with information as to what the disease does and the outlook they can expect if diagnosed. Although Alzheimer’s disease cannot be prevented, there are several drugs on the market that can effectively treat the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. People who suspect they or a loved one may have the disease should seek a diagnosis immediately so treatment can begin and they can have the best chance of alleviating symptoms.