September is World Alzheimer’s Month
Facts About Alzheimer’s Disease According to the CDC
- Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. Dementia is a brain condition that affects parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language.
- Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias can seriously affect a person’s ability to carry out daily activities.
- The risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease increases with age, but Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging.
- Most people living with Alzheimer’s disease are older than 65 years. However, people younger than age 65 can develop Alzheimer’s disease but it is not common.
- Scientists do not know what causes Alzheimer’s disease. However, like other chronic conditions, it is probably a result of multiple factors.
- Controlling high blood pressure, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking may reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
When is memory loss more than forgetfulness?
Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging. According to the CDC, memory loss is typically one of the first warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease, but occasionally forgetting words or names does not mean a person has Alzheimer’s. There are other signs that someone in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease may experience in addition to memory problems. In the early stages of the disease, these can include:
- Getting lost in familiar places.
- Having trouble handling money and paying bills.
- Repeating questions.
- Taking longer to complete normal daily tasks.
- Displaying poor judgment.
- Losing things or misplacing them in odd places.
- Displaying mood and personality changes
Photo by Milad Fakurian on Unsplash
Tags: alzheimer, brain, cdc, dementias, disease, forgetfulness, memory loss
