Tags: memoryloss | alzheimers | dementia | symptoms | signs

Memory Loss: How to Tell If It Is Alzheimer's?

Sunday, 06 April 2014 11:43 PM EDT

Alzheimer’s is a major form of dementia known to cause symptoms of memory loss. However, memory loss does not necessarily affirm this disease. Various other signs must be present before concluding diagnosis. There are many reasons for the loss of memory, including aging, depression, side effects of medications, hyperthyroidism, mild cognitive impairment, or any other form of dementia. Let us note the various symptoms of Alzheimer’s and check which form of loss of memory may indicate dementia or its severe forms.

 
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s

With the approach of memory loss symptoms, the fear of Alzheimer’s appears, as this form of dementia is a major concern in the present world. However, it is unwise to fear every symptom of memory loss as a potential indicator of this severe form of dementia. To get a clear idea on how to identify whether a faulty memory is an alarm bell of approaching doom, let us study the various signs and symptoms that identify Alzheimer’s disease.
  • The primary symptoms of any form of dementia include memory loss or forgetfulness to the extent where one fails to remember even the normal acts of daily life.
  • Symptoms of Alzheimer’s include difficulty in reading or in understanding things, and in making decisions or planning to solve minor problems of life.
  • Patients of Alzheimer’s may face difficulty in coordinating time and location and may fail to trace the location of home or the passage of time. These early signs are common in Alzheimer’s.
  • Among the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s are the frequent misplacing of everyday objects and an inability to retrace them.
  • Social isolation is among identifying symptoms for this major dementia type.
  • People suffering from Alzheimer’s disease also show signs of frequent changes in their moods.
If memory loss is accompanied by all of the above symptoms, an expert consultation to rule out or confirm Alzheimer’s or the kind of dementia should be taken.

 
Does All Memory Loss Mean Alzheimer’s?

Memory loss usually occurs when the body shifts to an overactive or hyperalert state to face any crisis. In such a condition, a series of biochemical reactions produce increased levels of the cortisone hormone. This increase in cortisone may cause loss of brain cells and the brain fails to create new neurons. This causes memory loss or forgetfulness.
 
Let us discuss various other reasons for symptoms of the loss of memory.
 
Apart from the severe form of dementia, symptoms of loss of memory can occur due to the following conditions:
  • Signs of natural aging sometimes include memory loss.
  • Depression also causes symptoms of memory loss.
  • In hypothyroidism, decreased metabolic activity can slow down the brain cells and may lead to signs of memory loss.
  • During pregnancy, women may exhibit mild symptoms due to the fluctuating estrogen levels.
  • Alcoholism or overindulging in substance abuse can lead to brain impairment and sometimes cause signs of memory loss.
Apart from the above causes, some other forms of dementia apart from Alzheimer’s may cause forgetfulness.
 
These various signs and symptoms and the various other causes for memory loss show that not all memory loss indicates the presence of Alzheimer’s disease.
 

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Health-Wire
Memory loss is a common symptom of Alzheimer’s disease or any kind of dementia. However, losing memory cannot confirm that a person has Alzheimer’s; there are many reasons for forgetfulness. Let us understand how to check if a person is suffering from Alzheimer’s when symptoms of memory loss appear.
memoryloss,alzheimers,dementia,symptoms,signs
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2014-43-06
Sunday, 06 April 2014 11:43 PM
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