Alzheimer's Disease
What's Alzheimer's Disease?
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a slowly progressive disease of the brain that's characterized by impairment of memory and ultimately by disturbances in logic, planning, language, and perception. Many scientists believe that Alzheimer's disease results from an increase in the production or accumulation of a specific protein (beta-amyloid protein) in the brain that leads to nerve cell death. The risk of having Alzheimer's disease increases substantially after the age of 70 and may affect around 50% of persons over the age of 85. However, Alzheimer's disease isn't a normal part of aging and isn't something that inevitably happens in later life. For example, many people live to over 100 years of age and never develop Alzheimer's disease.
Ten Warning Signs of Alzheimer's Disease
The Alzheimer's Association has developed the following list of warning signs that include common symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Individuals who exhibit several of these symptoms should consult a healthcare professional for a comprehensive evaluation:
- Memory loss
- Difficulty performing familiar tasks
- Problems with language
- Disorientation to time and place
- Poor or decreased judgment
- Problems with abstract thinking
- Misplacing things
- Changes in mood or behavior
- Changes in personality
- Loss of initiative