What Happens in Alzheimer's Disease?
Are you concerned about some of the ways a person you're close to, perhaps a spouse or parent, is behaving? Does he or she seem sad, more forgetful than usual, more easily upset or confused? Knowing more about what happens in Alzheimer's disease can make it easier for you to talk to this person - and to the doctor as well. The information here can help you get the facts you need about the symptoms and progression of Alzheimer's disease.
Understanding what happens in Alzheimer's disease may also make it easier for you to consider that treatment could extend memory and ability to function for the person in your life with Alzheimer's disease - and help you keep him or her at home longer.
What Happens in Alzheimer's Disease?
First, it's important to know that Alzheimer's disease is not a normal part of the aging process. It's a condition affecting the parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language. It does this by blocking the normal chemical process in the brain that makes learning, thinking, and memory happen.
Alzheimer's disease is also a progressive condition. This means that once Alzheimer's disease symptoms begin, they will worsen throughout the rest of the patient's life, first interfering with clear thinking, then with daily functioning, and finally with overall behavior. The rate of decline associated with the disease varies from person to person.
As Alzheimer's disease progresses, thinking, reasoning, and the ability to communicate decrease. As a result, common everyday activities such as eating, bathing, dressing, and using the telephone become increasingly difficult. Eventually, the person needs the help of others to get through the day.
People with Alzheimer's disease may also show personality changes - for example, they may become agitated, suspicious, withdrawn, or combative.
The goals of treatment with Namenda, as with all Alzheimer's disease treatments, are to:
- Slow the rate of memory, behavior, and daily activity impairment and
- Provide the person with some autonomy and independence.
The Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease
Do you think someone you care about may be showing symptoms of Alzheimer's disease? Then it's important to know which symptoms most commonly appear in each of the three stages of the disease: mild, moderate, and severe.
Mild symptoms. Alzheimer's disease begins slowly and usually starts with forgetfulness. If you think the person you're concerned about may be showing mild symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, see if you observe any of the following changes:
- Memory loss and changes in expressive speech
- Inability to learn new information
- Taking longer to finish routine daily tasks
- Mood and personality changes, such as depression or increased anxiety
- Difficulty with planning meals or taking medications on schedule
- Trouble with performing simple math problems, handling money, balancing a checkbook or paying bills
- Confusion about the location of familiar places
- Poor judgment leading to faulty decisions
Note: Even with some of these changes, the person may still be able to do most activities and drive a car. Always consult a doctor first.
Moderate symptoms. In moderate Alzheimer's disease, the changes occurring in the brain worsen and spread to other areas that control language, reasoning, sensory processing, and thought. In this stage, symptoms become more pronounced, and behavioral problems can occur. (More than 65% of patients are not diagnosed until they are already in the moderate to severe stages.)
Moderate symptoms of Alzheimer's disease can include:
- Increased memory loss - forgetfulness extends to forgetting old facts, such as past career and names of friends
- Shortened attention span
- Difficulty organizing thoughts
- Deficits in intellect and reasoning (for example, poor judgment, forgetting manners)
- Problems with language, including speech, reading, comprehension, and writing
- Inability to learn new things or cope with unexpected situations
- Repetitive statements, movements, or questions
- Difficulty recognizing friends and family
- Restlessness, agitation, anxiety, tearfulness and wandering, especially in the late afternoon or evening (called "sundowning")
- Hallucinations, delusions, suspiciousness, or paranoia
- Lack of concern for appearance and hygiene
- Loss of impulse control (for example, sloppy table manners, undressing at inappropriate times or places, using vulgar language)
- Difficulty performing tasks such as using the shower and toilet, or following written notes
Severe symptoms. In the last stage of Alzheimer's disease, damage to the brain's nerve cells is widespread, and all sense of self seems to vanish. At this point, full-time care is typically required. For friends, family, and those caring for the patient, this can be the most painful and difficult period. People with severe symptoms of Alzheimer's disease may be bedridden for long periods of time, and they often die from other illnesses, such as pneumonia.
If you're involved in caring for a person with severe symptoms, you may encounter some or all of these distressing symptoms:
- Complete loss of language and memory
- Weight loss
- Skin infections and difficulty swallowing
- Groaning, moaning, grunting or speaking gibberish
- Increased sleeping
- Refusal to eat
- Loss of physical coordination
- Lack of bladder and bowel control
- Difficulty with all essential activities of daily living, such as eating, toileting, and walking
There Is No Cure for Alzheimer's Disease, But Treatment May Help to Treat Its Symptoms
Although there is still no cure for the person with Alzheimer's disease, there is reason to hope. Treatment with Namenda may help to maintain memory, behavior, and the ability to do everyday tasks - both independently and with others - for a longer time than if not treated.
Namenda can be used alone, or in combination with another Alzheimer's disease medication, Aricept® (donepezil). Namenda has been shown to slow the loss of memory and ability to perform daily tasks in patients with moderate or severe Alzheimer's disease. These benefits can allow patients greater autonomy and independence.
If you're troubled by changes in thinking or behavior in someone close to you, consult a doctor promptly. Hopefully, with treatment, the person you're concerned about can have a longer period of independent, meaningful living with you, family, and friends. (Click here for tips on making sure the person you're caring for takes his or her medication as the doctor has directed.)
