Alzheimer's Disease

What is Alzheimer's?

• Brain nerve cells attacked
• Results in loss of memory, language/thinking skills, and behavioral changes
• Progressive mental deterioration that can occur in middle/old age
• Most common cause of dementia among people aged 65 and older.
• Not a normal part of aging

The blue/black areas show reduced brain activity

10 Warning Signs & Symptoms

• Memory loss
• Challenges planning/problem solving
• Difficulty completing familiar tasks
• Confusion with time/place
• Trouble understanding visual images/spatial relationship

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• New problems with words in speaking/writing
• Misplacing things/losing ability to retrace steps
• Decreased/poor judgment
• Withdrawal from work/social activities
• Changes in mood/personality

Stage 1: mild (LASTS 2-4 YEARS) frequent memory loss, particular of recent conversations and events

Stage 2: moderate (lasts 2-10 years) can no longer cover up problems

Stages 3: severe (lasts 1-13+ years) confused about past and present

Diagnosis

• Through medical history
• Mental status testing
• Physical neurological exam
• Blood and brain imaging tests to help rule out other causes of dementia like symptoms

Who is at risk?

• Age/genetics/environment = double risk after age 65, doubling every 5 years.
• Women = more at risk because statistically lifespan > than men.
• Those with head trauma/situations with reoccurring head trauma.
• Those with lack of exercise, smoking, high blood pressure, poorly controlled diabetes, diet lacking of fruit/veggies

"How I'm Preparing to get Alzheimer's"

References