Symptoms - Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia in Ireland.

Dementia is caused by different diseases of the brain. These diseases affect the parts of the brain that are used for learning, memory and language.

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive disease. This means the symptoms develop over many years and become more severe. It affects many brain functions.

How quickly symptoms worsen is different in each person. Certain medicines and other conditions, such as infection or stroke, can make symptoms worse.

Early symptoms

In the early stages, the main symptom of Alzheimer's disease is memory difficulties.

You may:

• forget about recent conversations or events
• misplace items
• forget the names of places and objects
• have trouble thinking of the right word
• repeat questions
• show poor judgement or find it harder to make decisions
• become less flexible and more hesitant to try new things

There are often signs of mood changes, such as:

• feeling more anxious or agitated
• losing interest in events and hobbies

You may also have difficulties with:

• vision and visual perception (making sense of what your eyes see)
• speech and language - such as using words incorrectly
• planning and problem-solving
• movement

Middle-stage symptoms

As Alzheimer's disease develops, memory difficulties will get worse.

You may find it more difficult to remember the names of people you know. You may also struggle to recognise family and friends.

Other symptoms may also develop, such as:

• becoming more confused
• obsessive, repetitive or impulsive behaviour
• believing things that are untrue (delusions)
• feeling paranoid and suspicious about carers or family members
• seeing or hearing things that other people do not (hallucinations)
• problems with speech or language (aphasia)
• disturbed sleep
• changes in mood - mood swings, depression, feeling more anxious, frustrated or agitated
• difficulty with spatial tasks, such as judging distances

Some people with Alzheimer's disease also have vascular dementia. Both types of dementia are quite common.

By this stage, you may need support to help you with everyday living. For example, you may need help eating, washing, getting dressed and using the toilet.

Later symptoms

In the later stages of Alzheimer's disease, the symptoms become more severe. This can be distressing for you, your carers, friends and family.

Non-cognitive symptoms of dementia

Many people will develop what is known as non-cognitive symptoms of dementia (NCSD). These are sometimes called neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia. They used to be known as behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).

Symptoms can include delusions, hallucinations, depression, anxiety and apathy.

Hallucinations and delusions may come and go. This can get worse as the disease progresses.

You may become aggressive and suspicious of people around you.

People may wander, pace, hoard, shout repeatedly, show inappropriate sexual disinhibition, and not want care.

Other symptoms

You may also develop other symptoms as the disease progresses, such as:

• difficulty eating and swallowing (dysphagia)
• difficulty changing position or moving around without help
• losing weight for no reason - sometimes severe
• unintentional peeing (urinary incontinence)
• unintentional pooing (bowel incontinence)
• gradual loss of speech
• significant difficulties with short and long-term memory

In the severe stages, you may need full-time support with eating, moving and personal care.

When to contact a GP

If you're worried about someone else, encourage them to see their GP. You could suggest going with them.

Dementia is not the only cause of memory difficulties. Depression, stress, medicines or other health problems can also be the cause.

Your GP can carry out some simple checks to try to find out what the cause may be.

If the cause is dementia, there are medicines, therapies and support available. These can help you to live your life the way you want to for as long as possible.

Your GP can also refer you to a specialist for more tests if necessary.