Roughly 11% of Americans 65 and older were living with Alzheimer’s disease in 2025, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Unfortunately, there isn’t a cure for Alzheimer’s yet, but testing for earlier diagnosis and obtaining treatments to delay disease progression are getting better all the time.
Keep reading to learn what the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are and to find out why early diagnosis and treatment are so important.
What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?
According to the Mayo Clinic, Alzheimer’s disease is when a biological process takes place that causes a buildup of proteins in the brain. These buildups cause amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles to appear. Gradually, these plaques and tangles cause brain cells to die and the brain to shrink.
While the typical age of a patient receiving an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is over the age of 65, in less than 1% of patients, Alzheimer’s is caused by a genetic change that essentially guarantees getting the condition. For these people, diagnosis is often closer to middle age.
What Are The Symptoms Of Alzheimer’s Disease?
One of the key symptoms of Alzheimer’s is memory loss, especially in the early stages. Everyone has off days and experiences forgetfulness, but persistent and abnormal levels of memory loss are always worth mentioning to your doctor. Changes in the brain can result in the following signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s in the early stages:
Memory Loss
Since memory loss can be a symptom of multiple conditions, it’s important to note that memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s disease is both persistent and worsening over time. It’s memory loss that disrupts daily life.
Examples of how memory loss can affect an Alzheimer’s patient include:
- Frequently repeating themselves.
- Failing to remember appointments, conversations, events, etc.
- Misplacing items frequently (and abnormally).
- Leaving lost items in odd places.
- Failing to remember the names of family members and frequently used objects.
- Increased difficulty holding a conversation, expressing their thoughts, or finding the right word.
Changes In Cognitive Abilities
Changes in cognitive abilities can also present themselves in various ways, such as:
- Inability to multitask.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Trouble with abstract concepts and numbers.
- Difficulty with decision making and problem solving.
- Trouble completing basic tasks.
Personality And Behavioral Changes
As the brain becomes more damaged, changes in moods and behaviors can become more apparent. This can look like:
- General mood swings.
- Losing interest in once enjoyed activities.
- Becoming
- Abnormal sleeping
- Withdrawal from social relationships.
- Becoming more easily angered and/or aggressive.
- Distrust in others.
- A tendency to wander off.
- Inhibitions lowered.
- Becoming increasingly delusional.
The Importance Of Early Detection And Treatment With Alzheimer’s Disease
According to the National Institute on Aging (NIH), while there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, there are medications that can slow the progression of the disease. There are also therapies, medications, and other strategies to help address the symptoms.
The Mayo Clinic notes that Alzheimer’s disease often begins years before the symptoms even start. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, receiving an early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s provides the following benefits:
- Better access to and better success of treatment options. Treatments used to remove beta-amyloid (an Alzheimer’s biomarker that becomes the protein that causes plaques) from the body sooner rather than later can potentially delay damage and progression.
- Patients at earlier stages are more likely to get into clinical trials.
- More time to prioritize health. Certain lifestyle changes may assist with preserving cognitive function.
- More time to plan for the future.
Can Alzheimer’s Be Prevented?
The Alzheimer’s Association notes that there is no way to definitively prevent Alzheimer’s disease. However, there are ways to reduce your risk factors, which may reduce your chances of developing the disease and/or delay the onset of the disease.
For example, those who eat a heart-healthy diet and get plenty of exercise tend to have healthier brains and fewer instances of vascular dementia.
The following may also reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s:
- Maintain healthy blood pressure.
- Maintain heart health (including healthy cholesterol levels).
- Get regular exercise.
- Maintain a heart-healthy diet.
- Maintain social relationships.
- Keep yourself mentally
- Avoid head trauma.
Final Note: Know Your Risk Factors!
You can reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. But it’s also important to know what else puts you at a higher risk to navigate these issues and discuss testing with your doctor.
For example, you’re more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease if you have certain underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and if you have a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI). It’s also important to know if you have a genetic predisposition for Alzheimer’s, based on your family history or a certain genetic component.
Since Alzheimer’s disease can be present in the body before symptoms even show up, it’s important to always maintain a healthy lifestyle and discuss risk factors with your doctor. If you or a loved one is struggling with your cognitive abilities, be sure to discuss the possible causes with your doctor and then contact Haven Health to enquire about ways that we can help.
Sources:
Alzheimer’s disease. (2024).
Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. (n.d.).
Can Alzheimer’s Disease Be Prevented? (n.d.).
How Is Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosed? (2022).
What are the Causes and Risk Factors of Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias? (n.d.).
Why Get Checked? (n.d.).