Neurologists Reveal The Overlooked Signs Of Alzheimer's They Wish Everyone Knew

Experts say these common symptoms are often overlooked or mistaken for something else.

Culture & Parenting Reporter, HuffPost

When it comes to Alzheimer’s disease, major memory loss is the symptom that tends to come to mind. In reality, the disorder can manifest in many other ways.

“Most people expect Alzheimer’s to begin with forgetting names or misplacing keys,” Dr. Majid Fotuhi, a neurologist and adjunct professor in the department of neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University, told HuffPost. “Often the earliest changes are more subtle.”

These smaller signs often go overlooked or are attributed to other causes.

“Early changes can be gradual and easy to explain away as stress, fatigue, aging or being overwhelmed,” said neurologist Dr. Shaheen Lakhan. “People also fear what an evaluation might mean for their independence.”

We expect changes in how we think and behave as we get older, so it’s easy to brush things off bit by bit over time.

“People find ways to compensate, and family members may start helping with certain tasks without even realising it,” said Davide Cappon, director of neuropsychology at Tufts Medical Center. “Sometimes it’s only when you look back that you notice how much things have changed.”

And the person experiencing the changes may not even see them.

“In some people, the disease affects awareness of their own difficulties,” Lakhan said. “This is called anosognosia. A person may sincerely believe nothing has changed. Treating that as stubbornness can turn a neurological symptom into a family argument.”

None of the signs below necessarily mean someone has Alzheimer’s, and each has other possible causes. But experts say they’re worth paying attention to.

Changes in judgment and money management

“A previously careful person starts missing payments, paying the same bill repeatedly or making financial decisions that are out of character,” Lakhan said. “A new pattern of difficulty, especially alongside other changes, deserves attention.”

They may become more susceptible to scams, start making odd purchases, or even give money away in a way that is out of character.

Trouble with planning and complex tasks

“Someone who’s always been very organized may suddenly struggle to plan things or keep track of everyday responsibilities,” Cappon said.

They may have previously multitasked easily, but now it’s difficult.

“Planning becomes harder, with more mistakes coordinating plans and more errors with numbers – missed bills, incorrect tip calculations,” said Dr. Yasmin Mohiuddin, a neurologist with Orlando........

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