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Diagnosing Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects millions of people all over the world. Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease may seem somewhat normal at first, because many people assume that some degree of memory loss naturally occurs with age. However, the symptoms eventually grow much more severe. By the time the disease has fully run its course, patients may be unable to make sense of the world around them -- this includes failing to recognize people and places they have been familiar with for all of their lives.

In this section, we'll review the various symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, starting with the warning signs of the early onset of Alzheimer's. Then, we'll review the symptoms that appear as patients move through the various stages of the disease.

There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, and patients who are diagnosed with this brain disorder will eventually die. However, recognizing the symptoms as early as possible can help lead to early treatment, which can significantly delay the onset of Alzheimer's. Also, detecting the disease as early as possible allows for patients and their loved ones to plan for the years ahead.