{"id":5392,"date":"2023-07-07T04:37:17","date_gmt":"2023-07-06T21:37:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=5392"},"modified":"2023-07-07T04:37:17","modified_gmt":"2023-07-06T21:37:17","slug":"7-early-signs-of-alzheimers-that-arent-just-typical-aging","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=5392","title":{"rendered":"7 Early Signs of Alzheimer&#8217;s That Aren&#8217;t Just Typical Aging"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"drop-cap text-big text-gray\"> <span class=\"drop-cap__first text-dropcap \">L<\/span>ately, the news has been filled with stories about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/living-with-alzheimers\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/living-with-alzheimers\/\">early signs of Alzheimer\u2019s<\/a> or other dementias in celebrities. Tallulah Willis <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vogue.com\/article\/bruce-willis-and-me-memoir-tallulah-willis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.vogue.com\/article\/bruce-willis-and-me-memoir-tallulah-willis\">talked to <em>Vogue<\/em><\/a> about how her father, Bruce Willis, was unresponsive at times. In response to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2023\/07\/05\/entertainment\/fiona-phillips-tv-host-alzheimers-wellness-gbr-intl-scli\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2023\/07\/05\/entertainment\/fiona-phillips-tv-host-alzheimers-wellness-gbr-intl-scli\/index.html\">Fiona Phillips sharing her dementia diagnosis<\/a>, Dr. Hilary Jones <a href=\"https:\/\/www.express.co.uk\/life-style\/health\/1787679\/dementia-alzheimers-disease-symptoms-dr-hilary-jones\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.express.co.uk\/life-style\/health\/1787679\/dementia-alzheimers-disease-symptoms-dr-hilary-jones\">spoke of the earliest symptom<\/a>, short-term memory loss. Additionally, Tony Christie <a href=\"https:\/\/www.msn.com\/en-us\/health\/medical\/tony-christies-wife-saw-his-early-signs-of-dementia-before-diagnosis\/ar-AA1dagNT\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.msn.com\/en-us\/health\/medical\/tony-christies-wife-saw-his-early-signs-of-dementia-before-diagnosis\/ar-AA1dagNT\">noticed a difficulty with crossword puzzles<\/a>, which was an early sign for him.<\/div>\n<p>With all of this news, you may be worrying about your own <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/hilarity-for-charity\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/hilarity-for-charity\/\">brain health<\/a>, or that of your loved ones. After all, given <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alz.org\/alzheimers-dementia\/facts-figures\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.alz.org\/alzheimers-dementia\/facts-figures\">over six million Americans have Alzheimer\u2019s<\/a>, it\u2019s more common than any of us would like to imagine.<\/p>\n<p>I mean, struggling to remember words and details can be scary. When is it normal for your age versus a sign of Alzheimer\u2019s? Knowing where the line is between the two is tricky, and it\u2019s a question no one wants to ask themselves.<\/p>\n<p>Only an expert like a neurologist or geriatrician can make a diagnosis, but there are red flags that might signal that it&#8217;s time to book an appointment for some testing. To help you know what you\u2019re working with, a neurologist shares how some early signs of the disease differ from the normal effects of aging.<\/p>\n<h2>1. Forgetting recently learned information<\/h2>\n<p>Forgetting about an appointment or what a person\u2019s name is\u2014and being able to recall it later\u2014is a typical change you\u2019ll see in older folks, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/findadoctor.atlantichealth.org\/provider\/Anjali+N+Patel\/641869\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/findadoctor.atlantichealth.org\/provider\/Anjali+N+Patel\/641869\">Anjali N. Patel, DO<\/a>, a memory and cognitive neurologist of the Atlantic Neuroscience Institute and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.atlantichealth.org\/locations\/hospitals\/overlook-medical-center.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.atlantichealth.org\/locations\/hospitals\/overlook-medical-center.html\">Overlook Medical Center<\/a>. An early sign of Alzheimer\u2019s, on the other hand, is \u201cforgetting recently learned information [or] repeating the same question,\u201d she explains. In fact, according to the Alzheimer\u2019s Association, that\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alz.org\/documents\/national\/tenwarnsigns.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.alz.org\/documents\/national\/tenwarnsigns.pdf\">the most common sign in the early stages<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Patel gives an example. \u201cIf someone has a doctor\u2019s appointment coming up, they may ask multiple times regarding the date and time of the appointment,\u201d she says. \u201cThe person may repeat the question right away, after a few minutes, or the following day. This can vary.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content \" style=\"\" data-module-init=\"related-content\" data-module-immediate=\"\" v-cloak=\"\">\n<div class=\"related-content__wrapper \" v-cloak=\"\" :class=\"{'is-loaded':isLoaded}\">\n<p> <span class=\"inline pr-6 text-seafoam-dark\">Related Stories<\/span> <\/p>\n<p> <related-content class=\"related-content__links\" parent-article-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/early-signs-of-alzheimers\/\" current-title=\"7 Early Signs of Alzheimer\u2019s, and How They\u2019re Different From Typical Age-Related Changes\" current-image=\"GettyImages-1earl-signs-of-alzheimers.jpg\" v-on:parsely-posts-loaded=\"onPostsLoaded\" start-date=\"2023-01-06\" tag=\"div\" inline-template=\"\" url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/early-signs-of-alzheimers\/\" secret=\"w5ztterVB03LGZJLfXS0hf3EvQBuFFIWew9hmVQxthU\" apikey=\"wellandgood.com\" limit=\"3\"> <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"related-content__card mb-[10px] sm:mb-[20px]\" :class=\"{'related-content__card--full':posts.length === 1}\" v-for=\"(post, key) in posts\"> <a v-on:click.prevent=\"trackLinkGA($event, key)\" :href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/early-signs-of-alzheimers\/post.url\" data-url-source=\"related-content\" class=\"related-content__link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"\"> <\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content__card--image bg-tan\" :style=\"{ backgroundImage: 'url(' + post.image_url + ')' }\"> <img :src=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/early-signs-of-alzheimers\/post.image_url\" :alt=\"post.title\"\/> <\/div>\n<p> <\/a>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <\/related-content> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<h2>2. Feeling confused, suspicious, anxious\/fearful, or depressed<\/h2>\n<p>Some emotional ups and downs are normal for all of us. Particularly once our days start to follow a predictable pattern, we \u201ccan become irritated when the routine is changed or disrupted,\u201d Dr. Patel says. That\u2019s typical with age (and is pretty understandable across the board!).<\/p>\n<p>However, if you notice someone lose control over how they express their emotions, overreact, or have rapid mood changes due to not understanding a situation, it\u2019s more likely an early sign of Alzheimer\u2019s, she continues. One example of a confusing event is traveling to a new location, which can lead to intense reactions in an Alzheimer\u2019s patient.<\/p>\n<h2>3. Consistently making poor judgments<\/h2>\n<p>Many of us have made mistakes here and there by falling for spam or struggling with a budget. But a red flag is if it\u2019s <em>consistent<\/em>. Dr. Patel says, \u201cIndividuals might miss a payment once, make a mistake once in a while,\u201d and that\u2019s typical. It could signal Alzheimer\u2019s, though, if \u201cpatients cannot manage a budget [or have] poor judgment, [such as] giving away personal information to strangers.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>4. Hiding items and\/or accusing others of stealing items they can\u2019t find<\/h2>\n<p>Being unable to find something\u2014whether it\u2019s the remote or a nice pair of earrings\u2014can be stressful and confusing. Even the most organized people probably know the struggle. According to Dr. Patel, it\u2019s a-okay if the person is able to retrace their steps to find the item.<\/p>\n<p>But when \u201cpatients place objects in unusual places, cannot find the object again, and may accuse others of taking items,\u201d she says, it\u2019s possibly an early sign of Alzheimer\u2019s. She explains how this happens, saying patients often <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-to-remember-where-you-left-something\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-to-remember-where-you-left-something\/\">lose or misplace items<\/a>, assume someone must be taking their things, then hide those items in unexpected places for \u201csafekeeping.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>5. Struggling to keep up in conversation<\/h2>\n<p>Having trouble thinking of the right word (and it eventually coming to mind) is a typical age-related change people may experience, Dr. Patel says. However, when patients have trouble following a conversation, consistently call things by the wrong name, or regularly lose their train of thought, you might be seeing early signs of Alzheimer\u2019s.<\/p>\n<h2>6. Noticing a significantly decreased understanding of visual images<\/h2>\n<p>As we age, our vision may change due to cataracts. Buying a new pair of glasses can be a normal item on the to-do list. However, Alzheimer\u2019s may be a concern if safety issues are popping up, like \u201chaving difficulty judging distance, leading to car accidents, [or] episodes of getting lost,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n<h2>7. Losing track of time and events<\/h2>\n<p>If your loved one isn\u2019t sure about the exact date or day of the week, there\u2019s no need to be concerned, according to Dr. Patel. She warns more about patients \u201chaving difficulty understanding when events took place [and] losing track of the month\/year\/season\u201d since that could be a potential sign of Alzheimer\u2019s.<\/p>\n<p>This could look several different ways. \u201cThey may forget recent events, such as visiting family or going on a trip,\u201d she adds. \u201cThe person may recall events from the past in greater detail, and may believe those prior events took place more recently.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>What to do next<\/h2>\n<p>If you think you or a loved one might be exhibiting possible early signs of Alzheimer\u2019s, book an appointment with a neurologist. They will be able to use imaging, cognitive or blood tests, and other neurological exams and assessments to figure out if that\u2019s what\u2019s going on.<\/p>\n<p>And if it is, know that all hope is not lost. An <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/new-alzheimers-medication-aduhelm\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/new-alzheimers-medication-aduhelm\/\">Alzheimer\u2019s medication was approved by the FDA<\/a> in 2021, and prevention research is underway, from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/alzheimers-prevention\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/alzheimers-prevention\/\">AI technology<\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/folate-foods\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/folate-foods\/\">a study about the benefits of folate<\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/blood-test-alzheimers-disease\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/blood-test-alzheimers-disease\/\">predictive blood tests<\/a>. You aren\u2019t alone in this.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1675549\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lately, the news has been filled with stories about early signs of Alzheimer\u2019s or other dementias in celebrities. Tallulah Willis talked to Vogue about how her father, Bruce Willis, was unresponsive at times. In response to Fiona Phillips sharing her dementia diagnosis, Dr. Hilary Jones spoke of the earliest symptom, short-term memory loss. Additionally, Tony &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":5393,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5392","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5392","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5392"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5392\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5393"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5392"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5392"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5392"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}