BOG-Official-2023
BOG-Official-2023

Alzheimer’s Disease Atlanta

Understanding the Early Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month across the country. Though Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are more typically associated geriatric patients, the impact of these diseases is far more wide-reaching than that. According to statistics collected by the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 15 million Americans currently provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.

Understanding the Early Warning Signs of Alzheimer’sAlzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting over 5 million Americans. Experts expect this figure to exceed 16 million by the year 2050. In addition to affecting someone’s cognitive and physical abilities, Alzheimer’s can be fatal. The Alzheimer’s Association states that the disease is the sixth leading killer in the US, and that roughly a third of all senior citizens die with Alzheimer’s disease or forms of dementia.

With this in mind, we are writing today to detail some of the most common warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Although there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, early detection is still very important. An early diagnosis can help patients keep more treatment options open and receive more benefits from their treatments. Recognizing Alzheimer’s early can also help patients and their families better prepare and plan for the future. The following are early Alzheimer’s warning signs to look out for:

  • Memory loss (both short and long-term)
  • Issues with simple planning and problem solving
  • Trouble completing common, daily tasks
  • Changes to vision and issues with depth-perception
  • Struggles with conversation and vocabulary
  • Irregular or abnormal lapses in judgment
  • Social withdrawal and depressive tendencies
  • Unpredictable or uncharacteristic mood swings

There are a number of great ways you can participate in Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month including making a donation to an Alzheimer’s charity or just helping spread awareness of the disease online. Knowledge is one of the best weapons we have in the fight against Alzheimer’s. The more informed you are about Alzheimer’s and its symptoms, the better chance you will have to recognize the signs early. For more information about Alzheimer’s or to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson.

Alzheimer’s Awareness Month at Abraham Family Medicine

Alzheimer’s Awareness Month at Abraham Family MedicineNovember is National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. While it’s true that Alzheimer’s disease is mainly a concern for geriatric patients, the impact of the disease is far more wide-reaching. According to statistics collected by the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s directly affects approximately 1 in every 2 families in America today.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. One of the best weapons against Alzheimer’s disease is knowledge. The more we know and understand about the disease, the better we can treat patients and try to limit its prevalence in the years to come. That’s why we’re writing today with some facts and statistics you may not be aware of. Hopefully our readers will share this information to help create a better understanding of this terrible disease.

Let us begin with some basic statistics.

  • Alzheimer’s is a chronic condition that currently afflicts over 5 million Americans.
  • Experts predict that figure could reach over 16 million by the year 2050.
  • Of the more than 5 million Americans with Alzheimer’s, the vast majority (roughly 96%) are age 65 or older.
  • Alzheimer’s is also a leading cause of death in America.
  • The Alzheimer’s Association study showed that the disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the US and that a third of all senior citizens die with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.

A person’s physical health can affect their chances of developing Alzheimer’s. Conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes can increase someone’s Alzheimer’s risk. Gender also plays a part. Women are almost twice as likely as men to be afflicted according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s like brain shrinkage also tend to be more severe in women.

In order to help stave off Alzheimer’s as we age, experts recommend staying active, both physically and mentally. Keeping the brain sharp in old age through activities like reading, taking classes or playing a musical instrument can help lower the risk of Alzheimer’s. Regular social interaction is said to also be greatly beneficial. Additionally, daily exercise and a healthy diet can help keep the body vital and avoid some of the health conditions that are associated with Alzheimer’s.

Noticing signs of Alzheimer’s early and acting quickly can also be extremely helpful to a patient’s ability to treat and cope with their condition. Some patients in the early stages may be hesitant to seek medical attention due to a commonly-believed (though patently false) idea that memory loss is a natural part of aging. A person losing their sense of smell is another early sign of Alzheimer’s that should not be ignored.

Great awareness of Alzheimer’s in the years to come can hopefully lead to less prevalence, more effective treatments and a higher quality of life for those with the disease. Hopefully this helped increase you’re understanding and awareness of Alzheimer’s and the scope of its impact. If you have additional questions, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.

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