We all forget about something. A common thing, most of us are overworked and exhausted. As memory problems worsen and we forget more and more little things, we begin to wonder if this is the beginning of dementia. Or maybe these are the first symptoms of Alzheimer's disease?

Early Alzheimer's Disease Symptomsis not always a concern. After all, there are many causes of memory disorders. They may be related to vascular and endocrine diseases, occur after a stroke, injury, carbon monoxide poisoning or result from a deficiency of B vitamins, mainly vitamin B12. All these diseases can cause cognitive impairment of varying severity, even up to severe dementia.

The facts are, however, that people suffering from Alzheimer's disease constitute a significant group of patients with cognitive impairment. According to WHO data, this neurological condition is responsible for 60-70% of all dementia cases among people aged 60-65.

It takes 10, 15, and sometimes even 20 years from the appearance of the first adverse changes in the brain to the onset of clinical symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Many studies show that such abnormalities in the brain may appear as early as the fourth decade of life, but are asymptomatic. This, experts say, is not a phase of the disease. When the disease develops and manifests itself with clinical symptoms in the form of severe memory impairment, it becomes Alzheimer's dementia.

Early Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms: What Should You Concern?

Alzheimer's disease is mainly identified with memory loss, but before its deficits become visible or noticeable to the environment, there are signals that should make us alert.

  • A person who develops Alzheimer's is changing. Someone who has always been composed becomes explosive, gets angry easily, raises his voice, or is easily moved, cries for any reason, because he is not in control of his emotions.
  • Sometimes he behaves or utters inadequate to the situation he is in.
  • A disturbing symptom should also be considered a situation when an active person who copes well with everyday tasks neglects his duties, e.g. looks for excuses tonot to go to work, stops taking care of clothes, hygiene, sits for hours on the couch and withdraws from social and family relations.
  • Speech problems may arise fairly early. Sentences are built correctly, but the patient, for example, forgets the names of everyday objects. He says - give me this round soup to eat, instead of asking for a spoon. The patient knows what a given thing is for, but cannot name it, which is associated with a speech disorder of the aphasia type.
  • It also happens that the way of speaking changes. The statements are simple, but most of all you don't hear their emotions. Speech becomes monotonous.

Early Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms: What To Do If They Worsen?

The changes involving the brain are initially very discreet and therefore underestimated. The environment acknowledges it with the statement - it is aging badly. Of course, the point is not to treat every change in behavior or unwise utterance as the onset of an illness. However, it is worth taking a closer look at the problem and talking to your doctor about it.

In the initial stage of the disease, symptoms of depression may appear, such as low mood, decreased activity, negative assessment of reality. It happens that a sick person puts their things in the wrong place, e.g. a book in the refrigerator, keys to a basket with dirty laundry. He does not remember this fact and accuses his relatives of being malicious.

Anxiety, sleep and appetite disorders are common - alternately, lack of appetite and. Delusions may occur, most often involving stalking, robbery and marital infidelity.

Finally, the sick person does not know why he left the house, he loses the sense of time and the ability to orientate himself.

Often he does not recognize his relatives or even his reflection in the mirror. He doesn't know how to tie shoelaces or spread butter on bread. Unfortunately, a change in the behavior of a family member is often perceived by the environment as spite or laziness.

The patient himself does not notice changes in his behavior or memory loss. Some even claim that they have an excellent memory. Most people also lose their criticism of their behavior or statements.

When they put money in the fridge, they say that someone has stolen it. This often creates conflicts, makes loved ones move away. They do not want to help because they do not understand the patient's behavior.

Early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease - how to delay the onset of symptoms?

The bad news is that an effective drug has not yet been developed for Alzheimer's disease. Currently available medications only work on symptoms - they alleviate them or reduce the risk of their occurrence.

The good news is that we can fight to be fityour brain. Of great importance are non-pharmacological activities, i.e. mental activity and compliance with the same rules, including diet, which are recommended in the prevention of strokes or heart attacks.

And although the disease itself cannot be stopped, the onset of clinical symptoms can be significantly delayed. Therefore:

Get enough sleep(minimum 6 hours) so that the body can cleanse the brain of the accumulated protein during the day.

But depression , because it favors faster brain aging.

Do not smoke,because tobacco smoke promotes oxidative stress which destroys blood vessels and nerve cells. Research confirms that smokers are more likely to develop this disease than non-smokers.

Eat more monounsaturated fatsfound in oils, nuts (walnuts, peanuts, pistachios), almonds, seeds, avocados, olives. The brain also likes omega-3 polyunsaturated fats (fish, nuts, linseed oil, linseed), vitamin E (wheat germ, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, nuts). Needs vitamin B12 (animal products), vitamin B9, or folic acid (beans, green vegetables, oranges).

Reduce consumption of red meat , refined foods, animal fat.

Spend your time activelybecause exercise will not only improve your overall he alth but can also prevent illness. Already 2 hours of exercise a week significantly reduce the risk of falling ill.

Train your brain not to lose its cognitive functions.Start learning foreign languages, playing an instrument, reading a lot, learning new things (e.g. drawing), solving crosswords and puzzles, sudoku, play chess and other games that require thinking, be social.

Keep your cholesterol and sugar in checkbecause their excess in the blood promotes disease.

Keep your blood pressure under controlto prevent the development of cardiovascular disease.

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