Neuroscience basics – Understanding Alzheimer’s

While neurological research utilizes technological advancements on a daily basis in attempts to further delve into the abyss of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), neurodegeneration is steadily becoming a predictable diagnosis in monitored patients.

In short, Alzheimer’s Disease is an age-related degenerative progression that affects an individual’s brain. Oftentimes, at the time of initial observation or clinical diagnosis, substantial and irreversible brain damage has already manifested thus intensifying the need to implement regular checkups to allow for preliminary markers to be observed and even predicted. Early monitoring can allow for therapeutic treatment to drastically slow the progression of the disease.

Understanding the early stages in a comprehensive manner could be the difference between putting a stop the illness and suffering from significant damage.

Some basic signs to be aware of when observing an individual will be briefly touched on throughout the remainder of this article in hopes to give the foundational knowledge needed for preventative measures.

Memory loss

Memory loss is a common and generalized occurrence in elderly people, but can also be an underlying predicator of other, more threatening medical conditions like Alzheimer’s Disease.

In normal, progressive aging, when a person ‘forgets’ something they have a tendency to recall the subject matter later on. With early on-set Alzheimer’s, in this same example, the individual will forget with no recall or cognitive connection to the subject matter whatsoever.

Memory loss is in fact one of the most common signs and early stages of AD. In conjunction with observed loss of memory, take note if the individual is seemingly asking the same questions over and over. This obvious repetition and dependency on other people to remember certain tasks or dates is critical to the proactive time frame.

Trouble expressing thoughts, feelings, and emotions

An elderly person who seems to be slipping in their ability to articulate thoughts in an educated manner should not be disregarded. Especially if this particular individual had no trouble of this in their past.

Someone who is aging at a normal speed is going to naturally develop progressive issues in regards to thought communication but this type of occurrence will be minimal and certainly not advance or worsen over time.

Those suffering from early on-set dementia or pre-diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, on the other hand, will often stop mid sentences. They may even stop the conversation completely or repeat their sentence. Other times you will notice them having issues identifying common objects or calling them by different names.

Because of the inevitable frustration this will cause them, you may notice that they begin to shy away from having general conversations with people.

Misplacing objects

As we previously stated, memory loss is a common sign in individuals who are suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease. What often comes along with forgetting names, places, and dates, is forgetting where you placed an item.

A person with AD will often put things in strange places, making it extremely difficult to find them even with the help of another person. For instance, a person living with Alzheimer’s may put a frying pan in their sock drawer. This is obviously not the pans typical spot and will now be very hard to find the next time someone needs it to cook.

If the person is then questioned on the whereabouts of the frying pan, they may begin to through accusatory theft allegations, in attempts to make sense of their unusual behavior.

Visual impairment

Sometimes and in some people, visual problems can be a sign of Alzheimer’s Disease. Understand that visual impairments are also a normal sign of aging but monitor the remaining behavior in direct comparison to the other signs outlined above. Being unable to judge distance, differentiate colors, and failing to recognize their own image in a mirror are critical markers that should be taken seriously and discussed with a medical professional as soon as possible.

Suffering from visual impairment is a preliminary indicator but this can also be coupled with feelings of anxiousness, confusion, and intensified irritability.

Conclusive discussions

Again, the importance of having a thorough understanding of what these symptoms look like while being able to recognize the signs in a loved one is imperative to proactively treating the disease.

Preventative and alternative medicines are viable treatment options. Bredesen Protocol Treatment, for instance, is a form of integrative medicine that has seen increased effectiveness in treating Alzheimer’s Disease or patients suffering from dementia. It has shown a reverse in cognitive decline and improved brain health.

“Providing Alzheimer’s treatment for patients and those who want to optimize their brain health to avoid this dreadful disease and reverse cognitive decline has been a passion of Doctor Lawson for a few years now. Dr. Lawson is passionate about helping patients to understand their risks and mitigate them through lifestyle changes, targeted nutraceuticals including nootropics, advanced peptide therapy and the right medications when indicated.” [Bredesen Protocol Treatment for Dementia/Alzheimer’s]