NEW YORK, Dec 24 (Reuters Health) -- A majority of Americans believe that
everyday acts of forgetfulness -- such as misplacing the car keys -- can be
early warning signs of Alzheimer's disease. Popular misconceptions like these
have led experts at the Alzheimer's Association to launch an educational
campaign outlining the "10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's Disease."
"We want families to recognize changes in behavior and be able to identify
the warning signs of Alzheimer's disease so they can take appropriate action,"
explained Association board member Dr. Eric Tangalos.
A recent Association survey of 1,000 American adults found that many
confuse aspects of normal aging with the early signs of Alzheimer's disease. For
example, two thirds of respondents agreed that "forgetting what you had for
breakfast" might be a clue to early Alzheimer's, while another 40% to 50%
thought that forgetting keys, phone numbers, or proper names was a warning sign
of Alzheimer's.
Experts disagree, however, pointing out that forgetfulness can strike at
any age and gradual increases in memory loss come as an inevitable part of the
normal aging process.
"Particularly disturbing" to the Alzheimer's Association was the fact that
two thirds of respondents could not identify the actual warning signs of early
Alzheimer's disease. These include:
-- Difficulties in carrying out familiar tasks. This goes beyond mere
distraction (i.e., forgetting to turn off the oven). Instead, people with early
Alzheimer's "could prepare a meal, and not only forget to serve it, but also
forget they made it," according to an Association statement.
-- Language difficulties. All of us forget the proper words for things
from time to time. In contrast, Alzheimer's patients often create inconsistent
or inappropriate combinations of words, producing garbled or 'nonsense'
sentences.
-- Disorientation. Persons with early Alzheimer's can lose their sense of
time and place, imagining themselves living at a different time period, or
feeling lost while walking down a familiar street.
-- Misplacing objects. We all forget where we put our wallet or glasses
from time to time. Persons with Alzheimer's misplace things in more extreme ways
- putting a shoe in the refrigerator, for example.
-- Personality changes. Alzheimer's can trigger swift, unexplained changes
in mood, from upbeat happiness to sudden outbursts of anger or fear. At other
times, persons with Alzheimer's can appear passive and disinterested, requiring
prodding to get re-involved in daily activities.
These and other disease cues are described in the Alzheimer's
Association's free educational booklet, "Is It Alzheimer's? Warning Signs You
Should Know," available by visiting the Association's website at www.alz.org.
Experts agree that early detection of Alzheimer's disease remains crucial,
since early treatment may help slow progression of the disease. "Current
treatments provide symptomatic relief," explained Dr. Bill Thies, vice president
for medical and scientific affairs at the Alzheimer's Association. "That's why
it's important now to teach families how to recognize the warning signs."
However, he stressed that "although... there have been recent breakthroughs in
Alzheimer's research, a cure or true prevention may be years away."
Tangalos advises that if relatives or friends detect signs of Alzheimer's
in a loved one, they first "see their physician" regarding a proper diagnosis,
and, if need be, begin "discussing plans for the future" regarding long-term
treatment and care.
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive and ultimately fatal degenerative
brain disorder of unknown origin. The illness currently affects about 4 million
Americans, but as the elderly population grows over the next 50 years that
number is expected to jump to 14 million according to data from the Alzheimer's
Association.
