As people age and become concerned about their failing memory and other signs of cognitive problems, many worry they may be getting Alzheimer's Disease.
"One symptom alone does not necessarily indicate that a person has Alzheimer's or dementia," cautioned Raj C. Shah, M.D., of the Rush Memory Clinic at Rush University Medical Center, in Chicago.
He told Health.com that there can be multiple causes of memory loss and other issues, so don't self-diagnose.
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Here are seven signs that indicate a visit to the doctor may be in order:
1. Some memory issues are normal, not just with aging but in daily life. But if memory issues interfere with daily life, such as forgetting recently learned information, that can be a warning sign,
says the Alzheimer's Association. Watch if you find yourself repeating the same information or need to leave reminder notes or electronic devices to remember everything.
2. If familiar, daily tasks become hard to complete, that can be a warning sign. "Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game," says the Alzheimer's Association.
3. Conversation becomes challenging, or understanding words as people speak, says WebMD. "Vocabulary becomes hard. Can you find the right word you're looking for? Or do you call things by the wrong name?"
4. Agitation and quickly changing moods can be indicators of an issue,
says Health.com. "They may constantly move around and pace, get upset in certain places, or become fixated on specific details." In addition, "agitation usually results from fear, confusion, fatigue, and feeling overwhelmed from trying to make sense of a world that no longer makes sense," explains (Lisa P.) Gwyther.
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5. Changes in judgment, such as giving away money you normally wouldn't have, can indicate Alzheimer's onset, says WebMD. "Have you made poor decisions lately? Are you showering as often? Do you take less care of yourself? Do you dress for the wrong weather?"
6. "Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships," says the Alzheimer's Association. "For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer's. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast, which may cause problems with driving."
7. Confusing time and place can be another issue as Alzheimer's begins. People with Alzheimer's may have a difficult time understanding something or may lose track of dates or passage of time. Some people may forget where they are or how they got there.
This article is for information only and is not intended as medical advice. Talk with your doctor about your specific health and medical needs.
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