Alzheimer’s condition deteriorates the mental abilities of those who suffer from it. It is very important to recognize the initial symptoms of this disease in order to receive adequate and timely care.
Alzheimer’s is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that can affect anyone, regardless of gender or race. It is considered one of the most feared conditions, which currently has no cure, and which directly attacks memory and other cognitive functions, leaving a trail of confusion and desolation.
Although its effects extend beyond the loss of memories, as the disease progresses, there are alterations in behavior, personality, as well as the ability to perform daily tasks. As mentioned from Business Insider Spainpatients typically feel disoriented with fragmented memories.
It should be noted that Alzheimer’s not only affects those who suffer from it, but also their loved ones. Watching a family member or friend fight this disease can be distressing, but above all emotionally exhausting.
Patients may become dependent on caregivers and face difficulties communicating, which often leads to feelings of isolation. In Spain, as in many parts of the world, this condition is a growing public health problem.
Currently, more than 700,000 people over the age of 40 live with this condition. However, it is expected that by 2050, this figure will have doubled, affecting almost 2 million people in the country. On the other hand, globally, more than 150 million adults are expected to suffer from dementia.
Alzheimer’s begins with small changes in memory, like forgetting where you put your keys or the names of people nearby. As the disease runs its course, the symptoms become more severe.
What do you forget first if you have Alzheimer’s?
The answer to this question is unclear, as the disease affects each person differently. However, recent research suggests that semantic memory may be affected first, which is part of general knowledge, such as the capital of Spain or the formula for Albert Einstein’s equation.
It is based on the temporal lobe, which is one of the first areas of the brain affected by Alzheimer’s. Instead, episodic memory is the memory of specific events, such as a trip you took with your partner or a recent conversation with a friend.
In this sense, A person with this condition may forget first things such as personal memories of past events, which translates into difficulties remembering significant moments, such as the people who were there on your birthday, the date of your graduation or your home address.
It is important to differentiate between normal forgetfulness associated with aging and the early symptoms of Alzheimer’s. As you get older, it’s natural to experience occasional lapses in memory, such as forgetting where you left your keys or the name of a person you just met. Now, what differentiates the disease is the persistence and severity of these forgetfulness.
Recognizing the early signs of Alzheimer’s is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment. Some of these signs include forgetting recently learned information, frequently repeating questions, difficulty following a plan or working with numbers, and changes in behavior.
It is for this reason that identifying these symptoms in the initial stages can allow better management of the disease, as well as a higher quality of life for those who suffer from it; however, the cure is still very far from being a reality.