Alzheimers disease is a brain disorder that results in progressive memory deterioration. It destroys the ability of the person to learn, talk, coordinate his movements, communicate, make judgments, and eventually carry out his everyday tasks. It may lead to behavioral changes resulting in violent reactions, anxiety attacks, distrusting behavior, agitation, delusions or even frequent hallucinations. Memory A person who suffers from some problems in memory and concentration would usually display occasional lapses in memory or forget some experiences. He may also show some lapses in attention and concentration. A person who might suffer from Alzheimers disease habitually misplaces items that are important to him. He might display difficulty and confusion in performing daily simple tasks. Because of the disease, performing simple mathematical equations can be quite a challenge. Performing other mental tasks is also very difficult for the patient. Mood A person may experience temporary sadness or feel anxious about certain situations he is facing. A change in careers or moving to a new town is a reasonable situation to feel anxious. People are usually afraid of the unknown. An Alzheimers patient displays unpredictable mood changes not typical of the person prior to his disease. He becomes isolated. He may display violent reactions, feel depressed, succumb to bursts of anger, or experience confusion with things happening in life. A patients normal reaction is to deny any of these symptoms. Language and Speech A person who has the disorder experiences trouble in completing a sentence. Patients usually communicate in words or short phrases, and they do not seem to know the right words to say. The things they express tend to be nonsensical. Movements and Coordination A normal person may either have slow reactions to certain stimuli or be generally cautious in movement. An Alzheimers patient will display trouble in moving. He is unable to coordinate his movements that even walking or balancing can be challenging. |
