Alzheimers Stages

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive form of dementia that is very common and typically associated with memory loss, inability to think properly, and cognitive dysfunction. However, not all memory loss can be associated with Alzheimer’s.

Typically, people over the age of 65 are affected, and it is estimated that 26 million people suffer from Alzheimer’s disease worldwide.

There are a variety of differences between regular forgetfulness and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. There are seven stages of Alzheimer’s disease, each characterized by its own degree of symptoms.

Alzheimer’s Stages – Stage 1

Stage 1 of Alzheimer’s disease is considered no impairment and is the beginning stage of the disease wherein the patient is asymptomatic and shows no outward signs of the disease.

Alzheimer’s Stages – Stage 2

Stage 2 of Alzheimer’s disease is considered to be a very mild decline in cognitive functioning or impairment; this is typically the stage where the earliest signs of the disease are able to be recognized. People suffering from stage 2 Alzheimer’s disease will experience memory loss, lapses of memory, and find themselves misplacing common and everyday objects. The people suffering these symptoms are aware of them; however doctors and family may be unaware of these symptoms and are usually not able to recognize this stage of Alzheimer’s. At this point, the patient merely believes that their memory is “slipping” due to the aging process and may feel that it is perfectly normal.

Alzheimer’s Stages – Stage 3

Stage 3 of Alzheimer’s disease is considered to be a mild decline in cognitive function. Some people can be diagnosed as having Alzheimer’s at this stage as the symptoms are more readily visible to doctors, family and the patient, too. The most apparent symptoms are the inability to form proper words, forgetting people’s names, losing objects, the inability to be organized, and the inability to retain information after recently reading it. Many Alzheimer’s patients can tell you very clearly the events that transpired fifty years ago, but cannot tell you what they read in this morning’s newspaper.

Alzheimer’s Stages – Stage 4

Stage 4 of Alzheimer’s Disease is considered to be a moderate decline in cognitive function and this stage is actually considered the true beginning stages of Alzheimer’s, although the patient may have had the disease for many months, or even for years. The symptoms are easily seen by doctors and family.

Alzheimer’s Stages – Stage 5

Stage 5 of Alzheimer’s disease is considered to be a more severe decline in cognitive function and this stage is considered the mid-stage of Alzheimer’s symptoms. The patient becomes increasingly unaware of their symptoms and often becomes agitated with the situation. Most Alzheimer’s patients in this stage do not understand that they have the condition, and are confused if the issue is brought up.

Alzheimer’s Stages – Stage 6

Stage 6 of Alzheimer’s disease is considered to be a severe decline in cognitive dysfunction. In this stage the memory loss worsens and daily activities become difficult. Alzheimer’s stage 6 sufferers need round-the-clock supervision.

Alzheimer’s Stages – Stage 7

Stage 7 of Alzheimer’s disease is considered to be the most severe decline in cognitive dysfunction. In this final stage of the disease there is nearly a complete short term and some long term memory loss, and the inability to control motor function and speech becomes apparent. This is considered the end stage of Alzheimer’s stage and is therefore the stage where patients need the most assistance. Some patients benefit greatly from being moved to a facility that specifically cares for Alzheimer’s patients. It becomes increasingly difficult for family to continue to care for these patients.

There are a lot of advantages of assessing the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, as the patient can begin a regimen of medication that can help to slow the progress of the disease.

Frontal Lobe Dementia

Frontal lobe dementia is any type of dementia that develops in the frontal lobe of the brain. The most common type of frontal lobe dementia is a disorder known as Pick’s disease but it can result from other causes.

Frontal lobe dementia is also sometimes called frontotemporal dementia as it often involves both the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain.

The frontal lobe is the front section of the brain which is involved in planning, organization, reasoning, emotion, parts of speech and some types of movement. The temporal lobe is located on the sides of the brain below and behind the frontal lobe and is involved in recognition, perception, auditory processing, memory and speech.

Pick’s disease, in particular is characterized by the presence of “Pick” bodies which are deposits of specific types of protein known as tau proteins in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. Pick’s disease can only be accurately diagnosed on autopsy as it requires examination of brain matter to identify, however most cases are identified based on symptomatology and Pick’s disease is not necessarily the only cause of frontal lobe dementias.

Frontal lobe dementia is often seen as an early onset dementia as it most commonly strikes in middle years of ages 40 to 65 and can affect both men and women. Dementia of the frontal lobe has a progressive list of symptoms beginning with mild to moderate personality and behavioral changes, progressing through changes in activity level and ability to care for oneself.

Behavioral changes of frontal lobe dementia include symptoms such as:

• lethargy

• apathy

• impairment in social skills

• inappropriate or bizarre behavior

• mood changes

• irritability

• increasing frustration

Cognitive changes of the dementia of frontal lobe may include:

• lack of organizational skills

• memory loss

• inability to plan or sequence activity

• decreased judgement ability

• lack of recognition of threat

• language loss

Late stage frontotemporal dementia also commonly involves the reemergence of some primal reflexes that are present in infants but lost in early childhood such as:

• redevelopment of palmomental reflex (a chin movement reflex from hand stroking)

• redevelopment of plantar reflex (grasping or foot curling reflex)

• redevelopment of rooting reflex (nursing reflex)

Prognosis of frontotemporal lobe dementia involves a gradual worsening of the condition, with development of more symptoms over a period of years. The life expectancy of a patient diagnosed with frontal lobe dementia ranges from 3 to 17 years with an average of 8 years. Some patients decline rapidly over 2 or 3 years while others decline much more slowly over a decade or more. Unfortunately in the end stages of the disease, most patients will need 24 hour a day care as they will have lost the ability to care for themselves. Some patients will need 24 hour care much sooner depending upon their particular set of symptoms and how likely they are to perform dangerous activities such as forgetting the gas burners are on in the oven or wandering off from their residence.

Frontal lobe dementia has no currently approved medical treatment though serotonin boosting medications such as antidepressants may eliminate some symptoms. Little research has been done yet on dementia of the frontal lobe as it most efforts have been focused on finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. More research is certainly needed and perhaps medications used for other types of dementia will prove useful at treating this debilitating condition.

Treating Early Signs of Dementia

If you are experiencing these symptoms on a regular basis, it is ideal to consult with your doctor about these symptoms and also find out if there is a clinic that deals with memory loss and dementia in your area. These clinics are typically better able to handle issues related to dementia, and usually offer cutting edge ideas to help you deal with the dementia and prevent its progression. It is very important to not merely ignore these symptoms and just attribute them to symptoms of getting older or old age. Instead, these symptoms should send off alarm bells in your head and get you moving to a doctor, discussing your concerns with family, and getting all the help you need.

Remember – if you catch dementia in its early stages you have a better chance of staving off the long-term side effects of the disease itself. Some people have even been able to prevent full blown dementia by incorporating a new life routine which includes medications, proper nutrition, social activities, exercise and more. While studies have shown that it can take years for a diagnosis of dementia, especially when only early signs and symptoms are being experienced, it is very ideal for you and your family to keep record of your symptoms to assist in your diagnosis. It will also help you to get the help you need, and receive it sooner than most people in the same situation.

There may even be subtle changes in your walking pattern, known as gait, which can be easily seen by close family members, but often not seen by the patient themselves. Most doctors would not notice these small changes in gait, but if it were brought to their attention, it could be a clue as to how progressed the dementia may be.

The key to managing dementia is early detection and close observation for early signs of dementia can help.

Detecting Early Signs of Dementia

While many of the early signs of dementia are not readily apparent to family, friends or doctors, others are more obvious. If you are experiencing any of these early signs, then it is ideal to make note of your symptoms and discuss these with your doctor. To make note of your symptoms, it is best practice to keep a notebook and write down when you experience events that could be dementia related. Or, ask a family member to help you keep this journal as you may not remember to do so.

There are medications that are available to help slow the progression of dementia and manage it properly. If you can prove you are experiencing dementia, your chances of catching it early are good and also your chances of preventing further decline improve.

The early signs of dementia include:

• memory loss

• change in personality or mood

• confusion

• losing everyday objects

• inability to perform daily activities

• disorientation

• losing track of time

• mood swings

• apathy

• loss of interest in activities once enjoyed

• becoming “passive” about life

Early Signs Of Dementia

If you or a loved one has begun to experience dementia, you are likely full of questions – and possibly quite confused about “what’s going on”.

Dementia is used to describe symptoms that are usually caused by alterations in the functionality of the brain.

Dementia in its most common form is the result of Alzheimer’s disease or multi-infarct dementia (vascular dementia) – both of which are irreversible.

The early signs of dementia may include repeatedly asking the same question, becoming lost in normal surroundings, losing the ability to follow simple directions, disorientation regarding time or places or people, neglect of personal safety or nutrition or hygiene, among others.

Treatment for Vascular Dementia

Vascular dementia is considered by many leading experts to be the most treatable form of dementia because it is closely tied to common diseases of the blood vessels and the heart. Prevention for vascular dementia is often emphasized, and includes monitoring blood pressure, weight, cholesterol and blood sugar levels as early in life as possible. Avoiding cigarette smoking and consumption of excess amounts of alcohol is also important in staving off vascular dementia, as is treating any underlying diseases of the blood vessels and the heart. Actively managing these conditions in older adults who have begun to show signs of vascular dementia may slow the progression of this form of dementia. There are currently no medications or drugs that are approved by the FDA for the treatment of vascular dementia, although many of the same medications that are used to treat Alzheimer’s disease are often helpful when treating vascular dementia as well.

Causes of Vascular Dementia

Vascular dementia is typically caused by two things. The first thing is a complete blockage of blood vessels to the brain or inside the brain. A complete blockage usually causes a stroke and these strokes, even if they are mild, can compound and cause issues over time. Vascular dementia can also be caused by a narrowing of blood vessels to the brain or inside the brain. This narrowing can cause small strokes and over time lead to a decrease in brain function.

Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia, secondary only to Alzheimer’s. Overall, vascular dementia is not a singular disease as it is related to numerous conditions that comprise its ability to cause a decrease in cognitive dysfunction due to loss of blood flow to the brain. There are many risk factors associated with vascular dementia including diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and smoking. There have been studies that have shown that vascular dementia can be attributed to high blood pressure in nearly 50 percent of all cases.