AD is one of the most common forms of dementia. The first manifestations
are progressive memory loss and changes in behaviour. It can affect people as young as 30 but most commonly occurs after the age of 65. Risk factors have been linked to genectic, metabolic, and environmentalfactors. The changes that occur in the brain of an AD victim are extracellular plaques with beta-amyloid protein deposits, atrophy of the cerebral cortex, loss of white matter, neuro fibrillary tangle, and loss of neurons. The duration of the illness is usually 8-10 years but can be as short as 1 year or as long as 25 years.
The warning signs are:
- Loss in memory that affects activities of daily living.
- Struggling with routine tasks.
- Difficulty remembering words.
- Disoriented to time and place.
- Makes poor decisions.
- Has trouble with abstract thninking.
- Forgets where he/she placed things or places in inappropriate spots.
- Inappropriate shifts in mood/ behaviour.
- Personality changes such as paranoia.
- Lack of initiative.
The Stages of Alzheimer's Disease
Individuals may occur some or all of these symtoms as the stages of the illness progresses.
Stage One:
- First stage of illness lasts for 1-3 years.
- Symptoms include long term memory impairment, difficulty thinking, irritable or indifferent personality, language disturbances, depression, delusions.
Stage Two:
- Second stage of illness lasts for 2-10 years.
- Symptoms include long and short term memory impairments, disorientated, irritable or indifferent personality, delusions, pacing, restlessness, and greater language disturbances.
Stage Three:
- Last stage of the illness lasts for 8-12 years.
- Loss of all mental and speech abilities occurs at this stage, as well as urinary and fecal incontinence.
