Medical Edge Newspaper Column

Alzheimer's Disease

Oct. 9, 2006
READERS:
What you don't know about Alzheimer's disease could hurt you. That's why it's important to seek medical attention if you experience warning signs of Alzheimer's disease:

• Increasing and persistent forgetfulness
• Difficulty performing familiar tasks
• Problems with finding the right words to express your thoughts
• Disorientation with time and place
• Poor or impaired judgment
• Problems with abstract thinking
• Putting everyday items in illogical places
• Noticeable changes in mood, behavior or personality

Forgetfulness and confusion also can be caused by diabetes, thyroid disease, depression, drug interaction or vitamin deficiencies. These symptoms may also indicate the presence of another form of dementia. Although treating these problems may not fully reverse memory impairment, knowing what's wrong can benefit your overall health and help keep other medical problems from developing.

If you have Alzheimer's or another form of dementia, the sooner you're evaluated and diagnosed, the more options you're likely to have in improving your symptoms.

While Alzheimer's is a progressive disease with no known cure, drugs may temporarily slow the progression of the disease or improve symptoms. An early diagnosis may give you the opportunity to be involved in making important legal, financial, social and medical decisions that will affect you and your family.