Alzheimer's disease: physical warning signs

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Extract from the article: Alzheimer's disease is a real pathology and not a simple effect of aging. It most often reveals itself at an advanced age. To date, there is no cure for the disease. What are the physical warning signs?

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Alzheimer's disease is a real pathology and not a simple effect of aging. It most often reveals itself at an advanced age. To date, there is no cure for the disease. What are the physical warning signs?

According to data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) published in 2020, the percentage of deaths linked to Alzheimer's disease in Togo is 0.66%. Its effects also manifest themselves on the physical level. Here are the main physical symptoms that may indicate that it is time for a medical check-up.

Difficulty performing familiar tasks

During the course of Alzheimer's disease, the person with the disease has difficulty performing everyday tasks that require coordination and dexterity. These are acquired skills that are gradually forgotten. At first, the person has real difficulty performing elaborate gestures: writing, household tasks, using household appliances, and then, at a more advanced stage, he or she can no longer perform the simplest gestures such as using cutlery, chewing, or getting dressed.

Repetitive behaviours

Repetitive behaviour is the most common behavioural disorder in Alzheimer's disease. In addition, they can be observed in anxious elderly people without associated neurodegenerative disorders.

Decline in fine motor skills

Fine motor decline can be a symptom of several disorders, including Parkinson's disease, but also Alzheimer's disease. People with dementia may have difficulty performing actions that require skill, such as writing neatly, buttoning a shirt, tying shoes.

Wandering and the tendency to get lost

Wandering is a sign that a person has advanced Alzheimer's disease. But other similar events may indicate the onset of the disease. An older person with Alzheimer's disease may, for example, arrive late for an appointment without explanation, start to get lost in the supermarket or while driving in their own town.

Increased tendency to nap

A study published in « Alzheimer's and Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association » found that more frequent and longer naps during the day may be a sign of Alzheimer's disease in older people.

Insomnia in Alzheimer's patients

According to a 2013 study by the National Library Medicine, people who sleep on average less than 6 hours per night have higher amounts of β-amyloid protein in the brain, suggesting that short sleep duration may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease. People who get little sleep, less than or equal to 6 hours per night, at the age of 50 or 60 have a higher long-term risk of developing dementia. These results suggest that sleep duration may be an important parameter to take into account in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease.

A neglected appearance

With memory loss and possible apathy, the person with Alzheimer's disease may tend to neglect their hygiene and appearance. If an elderly loved one who used to be the neat type is now neglected, it may be one of the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease or dementia.

Attention

 Each of these signs may be due to the normal aging process, but if several of them are present, it may be advisable to consult a doctor, who may refer the person to a specialist. Even if there is no cure, early detection of Alzheimer's disease allows for faster treatment and possibly slows down the progression of the disease.

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Elom AKAKPO