From being confused and disorientated to losing your keys, we reveal the 10 early warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease

ALZHEIMER’S disease is the most common type of dementia in the UK, affecting around 850,000 people – but do you know if you, a friend or family member could be at risk?

Alzheimer’s is a progressive neurological disease, which affects a number of the brain’s functions – including memory – and can also have physical effects, such as causing difficulty swallowing.

Although the exact cause of Alzheimer’s isn’t known, researchers are currently studying whether education, diet and environmental factors have an effect on the development of the disease.

 also state getting older, a family history of Alzheimer’s and previous severe head injuries are thought to increase the risk of developing the condition.

Currently, GPs cannot test for the condition – although a new study, published in the , shows that by measuring walking speed and handgrip strength, doctors can predict which patients are at the highest risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease.

The slow progression of the disease can also make it difficult to spot – but there are early symptoms you should look out for, and report to your GP:

• Memory loss that disrupts daily life
• Trouble planning and problem solving
• Difficulty completing daily tasks at home
• Confusion, disorientation and getting lost in familiar places
• Problems moving around without assistance or performing self-care tasks
• Changes in vision
• Hallucinations and delusions
• Problems with speech and language
• Social withdrawal and lack of motivation
• Conditions that affect metabolism, such as a thyroid problem

The disease is most common in patients over the age of 65 – and slightly more women than men have it.

Meanwhile, people with Alzheimer’s generally live for an average of 8 to 10 years after symptoms start to appear – and it can have a huge emotional, social, psychological and practical impact on a person, as well as emotional effects on friends and family around them.

Treatments for Alzheimer’s including medications, psychological treatment and therapies and in advanced cases, palliative care.

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