The Warning Signs and Stages of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease is known as Senile Dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT) or simply Alzheimer's. It is the most common form of Dementia. Alzheimer's is an incurable and terminal disease and was first described by Alois Alzheimer of Germany. It is a progressive disease, the effects of which get more and more adverse with time. The disease is characterized by impairment of memory, eventually leading to disturbance in reasoning, learning and perception. A number of doctors suggest or believe that Alzheimer's disease is a result of the increase in production or accumulation of a specific type of protein known as beta amyloid protein in the brain which leads to neurodegeneration (death of brain cells). Generally, Alzheimer's disease is believed to occur in people over 65 years, but there is a considerable number of people reported to suffer from it in the age bracket of 40 to 55 years too. A report suggests that there are about 26.6 million people suffering from Alzheimer's disease today. It is believed that this condition will affect 1 in every 85 by the year 2050.

Effects of Alzheimer's disease:

There are four stages of Alzheimer's disease and they are the Early stage, Second stage, Moderate stage and the Last stage.

Early stage of Alzheimer's disease:

This is considered as the mild or early stage of Alzheimer's disease and the time period of this is 2 to 4 years. Losing memory frequently, particularly of a recent conversation or event, occurs in this stage. A person in the early stage asks a lot of questions and has problems in expressing and understanding the language. Drastic personality changes may accompany functional decline in this stage.

Second stage of Alzheimer's disease:

This is considered the middle stage and the duration may be between 2 to 20 years. Persons affected with Alzheimer's disease at this stage can no longer cover up their mistakes. Pervasive and persistent memory loss impacts normal life style. Rambling speech, unusual reasoning, confusion about what is happening in event, time and place occurs. About 80% of patients show emotional and behavioral problems. Persons in this stage need a structure, reminders and assistance with activities of daily living.

Moderate stage of Alzheimer's disease:

Increased memory loss and confusion takes places in this stage. The patient finds it difficult to recognize family and friends. They cannot learn further and have trouble coping with the new. Delusion and paranoia along with difficulty in doing multiple tasks simultaneously are the major effects of Alzheimer's disease in this stage. The damages occur in brain areas controlling language, reasoning and thought.

Last stage of Alzheimer's disease:

This is considered as the most severe stage of all. The time duration may vary from 1 to 3 years. People in this stage cannot differentiate between the past and present. They cannot even recognize familiar people and places. Complete loss of verbal skills, inability to take care of themselves, falling frequently or becoming immobile are the effects likely shown in this stage. Problems in eating, swallowing, illness, adverse mood swings and hallucinations accompany this stage. Patients need total support and care and often die from infections or pneumonia.