Alzheimer’s disease is a condition for which there is no cure, but there are treatments available to slow down or lessen its effects. Worldwide, there are more than 15 million people living with Alzheimer’s disease, the vast majority of whom are women, making it one of the deadliest diseases on the planet. The factors that contribute to the development of the disease are genetic, meaning that anyone with a family history of Alzheimer’s should be concerned if they begin to show symptoms and, of course, are over 65 years old, since the disease almost never manifests before this age. When it does, it is called early-onset Alzheimer’s.

What is Early-Onset Alzheimer’s?

Early-onset Alzheimer’s is, by definition, Alzheimer’s disease in anyone under the age of 60. In these cases, the causes are always hereditary. As it is a rare disease, it’s not the first thing that comes to mind when someone starts showing symptoms.Early-onset Alzheimer’s can be better treated when detected early, meaning anyone with a family history of Alzheimer’s should be alert even before turning 65, especially women, and especially if any symptoms appear.The symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer’s are virtually the same as those of the conventional form of the disease, since the only difference between them is the age of the affected person. However, when discussing early-onset Alzheimer’s, we see an issue — many symptoms are mistaken for stress or simple distraction, which can allow the disease to progress unnoticed.We can divide the symptoms of Alzheimer’s into 4 groups:

  • Cognition
  • Mood
  • Behavior
  • Physical

Each of these groups has its own specifics and can serve as warning signs of the disease.

Cognitive Symptoms

The main cognitive symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer’s are:

  • Difficulty understanding things that were previously familiar
  • Disorientation
  • Frequent forgetfulness
  • Mental confusion, which can last entire nights
  • Loss of recent memory
  • Delusions
  • Paranoia

Mood Symptoms

The main mood symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer’s are:

  • Constant loneliness
  • Sudden mood changes, such as angry outbursts
  • Loneliness
  • Agitation
  • Depression

Behavioral Symptoms

The main behavioral symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer’s are:

  • Personality changes
  • Difficulty performing tasks that were previously routine
  • Wandering aimlessly, often getting lost
  • Personality changes
  • Insomnia or significant trouble sleeping

Physical Symptoms

The main physical symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer’s are:

  • Urinary incontinence
  • Difficulty coordinating muscle movements
  • Involuntary muscle movements

It’s important not to confuse the symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer’s with symptoms commonly seen in people as they age. Things like occasional forgetfulness, making the wrong decision unintentionally, or even misplacing something from time to time are part of the human aging process and are normal.However, it’s important to know that the ability to maintain concentration to follow stories, movies, books, or explanations should remain intact even in old age, and losing these abilities may be a sign of early-onset Alzheimer’s.Over time, Alzheimer’s worsens and the symptoms described above can manifest in extreme ways, making it difficult for the person to move, speak, or understand what is happening around them. Treatment is necessary to slow down or reduce these effects.

Diagnosis of Early-Onset Alzheimer’s

It’s always important to be very careful when diagnosing early-onset Alzheimer’s, since the symptoms can be linked to many other diseases or simply to signs of aging. Generally, diagnosis is made through specialists’ observation of symptoms, brain imaging exams, and memory tests.

How Is Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Treated?

Treatment for early-onset Alzheimer’s is exactly the same as for the conventional form of the disease — that is, through medications, brain-boosting vitamins, and therapies that exercise reasoning and logical thinking.It’s crucial for someone who suspects they have the disease to be diagnosed as early as possible, since the chances of managing the disease are much higher, as are the chances of living longer.In general, someone diagnosed in time can live 10 to 15 years, but, as we’ve said, the earlier the disease is recognized, the better the chance.Alzheimer’s disease is an illness that affects millions of people every year and is one of the world’s leading causes of death. Although most cases affect older people, the disease is rightly feared.One of its main causes is heredity, which means that if someone in your family has it, you are also at risk of developing Alzheimer’s. On the other hand, it’s important to have this information so that if you experience any of the symptoms, you can get treatment as soon as possible to delay the effects of the disease.Also See: Is Diabetes Curable?Photo: 809499