The tricky thing about Alzheimer’s disease is that its symptoms progress relatively slowly, so changes may occur over a number of years and may not be noticed until the disease has progressed. It is therefore important for people to learn what kind of symptoms may hint at the presence of Alzheimer’s disease so that they can seek a diagnosis if necessary.

A Gradual Process

The major impact of Alzheimer’s disease is that of impaired memory and thinking. Patients with the disease may have a very difficult time learning new information and eventually will have trouble with their long-term memories as well. They may forget where they were born or the name of their spouse. Other common symptoms include confusion, disorientation, and difficulty with abstract thinking, such as performing mathematical functions. People with the disease may also develop a tendency to misplace things, like putting the milk in the cabinet or leaving the keys in the freezer.

Patients may also have a difficult time performing familiar tasks as the disease progresses. They may have trouble with dressing, grooming, and eating. They may also experience extreme difficulty just planning day-to-day activities. They tend to have poor or decreased judgment. A person with Alzheimer’s disease, for example, may step outside in freezing weather without shoes or a coat. They often have problems with language and communication, which can be because of the dementia caused by the disease as well as impaired thought processes.

Other physical symptoms include impaired visual and spatial skills, a loss of energy or motivation, and abnormal sleep patterns. A person suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, for example, may sleep through the day and be wide awake throughout the night. It is important to keep in mind that most of these symptoms do progress very gradually over the course of a few years, so they may not be noticeable at first. However, as the disease continues to progress, patients or their loved ones may take note of more frequent symptoms and occurrences of this behavior. It is important to learn about what these symptoms are since many other diseases can have symptoms that mimic those of Alzheimer’s disease.