How does Alzheimer’s disease start? symptoms and diagnosis

There are several ways to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease dementia, this disease is usually diagnosed with a doctor’s visit. Doctors will evaluate your signs and symptoms with various tests.

It is important to have an accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, which is the most common type of dementia.

In fact, according to mental health site Mayo Clinic a correct diagnosis is the first important step in obtaining treatment, health care, family education and adequate plans for the future.

Alzheimer’s alerts: early symptoms

Some of the early signs and symptoms of dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease, according to the mental health specialist site, MedLine Plus, are:

• Memory impairment, such as difficulty remembering events.
• Difficulty concentrating, planning or solving problems.
• Difficulty completing daily tasks at home or at work, such as writing or using cutlery.
• Confusion about places or the passage of time.
• Visual or spatial difficulties, such as not understanding distances while driving, getting lost or misplacing things.
• Language problems, such as difficulty finding words or reduced vocabulary when speaking or writing.
• Poor judgment when making decisions Withdrawal from work events or social engagements.
• Mood changes, such as depression or other changes in behavior and personality.
• Alzheimer’s disease dementia can affect many aspects of your daily life.

When the warning signs of this disease appear, it’s important to get a quick and accurate diagnosis.

How is Alzheimer’s diagnosed?

Dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease was diagnosed by the family doctor, a doctor trained in brain pathologies (neurologist) or a doctor trained to treat the elderly (geriatrician), will review your symptoms, medical history.

During the appointment, the doctor will evaluate the following: Whether the patient has memory problems and (cognitive) reasoning ability.

If you have any changes in behavior or personality. Also the degree of impairment of memory or reasoning, or changes in them. Another test is how the reasoning problems affect the patient’s functioning in daily life.

Doctors can too Order more lab tests or brain imaging tests, or order a detailed memory test. These tests can provide doctors with useful diagnostic information, such as ruling out other conditions that cause similar symptoms.

Interviews with family and friends will also be conducted. Doctors can ask them questions about the patient’s behavior.

Details will look for details that do not match your previous level of functioning. In general, family members or friends can explain how (cognitive) reasoning skills, functional abilities, and behaviors have changed over time.