For someone with Alzheimer’s, obtaining a precise diagnosis as early as possible is crucial. Unfortunately, there are several possible obstructions. For one thing, it can be too easy to simply set aside symptoms such as memory loss as a routine part of aging instead of a sign of disease.
Additionally, symptoms of Alzheimer’s can also mimic signs of other ailments, such as depression. Any postponement in getting an Alzheimer’s diagnosis can prevent a person from receiving the necessary help and taking the steps to plan for the future.
If you’re troubled about changes in memory and thinking or variations in senses, behavior, temperament or movement that don’t look to be typical in yourself or a family member, consult with a physician. He/she can oversee a concise memory screening that can help with identifying problems and can also undergo a complete exam to discover if a physical or mental issue is the root cause of the problem.
Early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s
The initial phase would be to be aware of the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Early symptoms of Alzheimer’s include memory impairment, language problems, using poor judgment, mood changes, problems with finishing tasks and difficulty concentrating, among others.
When warning signs of Alzheimer’s emerge, it’s crucial that you get a timely and precise diagnosis.
Evaluating the Symptoms
To assess your symptoms, your physician may ask you to respond to questions or carry out tasks related to your cognitive skills, including memory, abstract thinking, problem-solving, use of language usage and associated skills.
- Mental status testing. Your physician might perform tests of memory, problem solving, attention and use of language. Physicians employ these test scores to help evaluate your level of cognitive impairment.
- Neuropsychological tests. You may be evaluated by a medical professional with a background in brain and mental health conditions (neuropsychologist). This may consist of wide-ranging tests to assess memory and thinking skills.
These tests assist physicians in establishing if a person has dementia, and if they can accomplish routine tasks without further harm, such as taking medications and managing their finances. They offer information on just what a person can still do in addition to what they may have lost. Such tests can also assess if depression may be the reason behind the symptoms. - Interviews with family and friends. Physicians may ask a family member or friend questions about you and your behavior. They may seek to understand your or your loved one’s family, medical and psychiatric history and changes in thinking and behavior.
This series of assessments, the physical exam and the background (age and length of advancing symptoms) often afford physicians sufficient information to produce a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. Nonetheless, when the diagnosis still isn’t clear, physicians may need to order additional tests.
Diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease
Once you or a family member or close friend observes symptoms that may be Alzheimer’s, make an appointment with a physician to talk over these concerns. The diagnosis normally begins with your primary care physician, and he/she may refer you to other physicians who concentrate in brain function (neurologist) or older adults (geriatrician) for additional testing and lab work.
Bear in mind that it may take numerous appointments and more than a few tests to obtain a diagnosis, but you can continue seeing your primary care physicians during the process.
During your appointment your physician will assess:
- If you exhibit diminished memory or thinking (cognitive) skills
- If you show changes in temperament or behaviors
- The level of your memory or thinking impairment
- How your thinking difficulties impact your ability to function in daily life
- The source of your symptoms
Excluding other conditions
Doctors will perform a physical exam to determine if you have other health disorders that could be triggering or adding to your symptoms, such as indications of previous strokes, Parkinson’s’ disease, depression, sleep apnea or other medical issues.
Lab tests
Blood and urine samples may be collected to ascertain if there are causes for the symptoms other than Alzheimer’s.
Brain imaging tests
These may involve magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans of the brain. MRI and CT scans are normally used to exclude other disorders with symptoms that are comparable to Alzheimer’s. PET scans are used to ascertain if there are high levels of beta-amyloid in the brain, that could lead to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
Future of Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
Researchers are working on innovative ways to diagnose Alzheimer’s sooner. New tests might be able to diagnose the disease at the stage when symptoms are slight or even prior to when symptoms begin.
For example, scientists are exploring a number of disease markers and diagnostic tests. These biomarkers take in genes and proteins, including tau, related to Alzheimer’s. New imaging tests are also being explored. These may signify whether a person has Alzheimer’s and how far the disease has progressed.
What are the benefits of early diagnosis?
Early, precise diagnosis is valuable for a number of reasons. Initiating treatment early on in the disease progression may help preserve a person’s routine performance for some time despite the fact that the underlying Alzheimer’s process cannot be halted.
Having an early diagnosis also helps persons with Alzheimer’s and their families:
- Devise a plan for the future
- Look after financial and legal issues
- Attend to possible safety concerns
- Become familiar with living arrangements
- Develop support networks
In addition, early diagnosis offers people more prospects to take part in clinical trials that are investigating potential new treatments for Alzheimer’s or other related research studies.
Need help caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s?
Even the most loving family can struggle to meet the needs of a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease. The staff at Bristol Village can help your family during a time when it seems like there is no solution. For more information on assisted living, contact Bristol Village today.