As individuals age, memory can decline naturally. However, when memory declines beyond what is considered normal, it may be a sign of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that affects one’s cognitive abilities, including memory, language, problem-solving, and thinking.

What is normal memory decline?

As one ages, changes occur in the brain that can cause memory decline. Mild forgetfulness is common in aging individuals and is usually associated with normal aging processes.

This form of age-related memory decline is commonly referred to as age-associated memory impairment or AAMI.

AAMI is characterized by some limitations regarding memory such as the tendency to forget things that just happened and the difficulty concentrating amid ambient noise or other distractions.

Nevertheless, these age-related changes are unnoticeable, and seniors can continue to lead active and productive lives, usually with few problems.

What are the symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s Disease represents a much more serious condition that currently no effective cure exists.

It is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that leads to chronic memory loss and cognitive decline, eventually affecting an individual’s ability to engage in daily life activities. Additionally, individuals with Alzheimer’s can appear confused, forgetful, or disorientated, and may experience mood swings, depression, or aggression.

The symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease progressively become more severe over time up until the disease’s latter stages.

In the early stage, individuals may experience memory loss that cannot be explained, difficulty performing daily tasks, confusion with time and location, and problems with judgment and problem-solving. In the middle stage, functionally related daily tasks such as cooking or cleaning may become increasingly difficult, and individuals may have difficulty recognizing people and objects.

The later stages of Alzheimer’s Disease severely impair mental and physical functioning.

Risk factors for Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease is a devastating illness that can significantly impact quality of life. There are several known risk factors for Alzheimer’s Disease, including:.

Age: The risk of developing Alzheimer’s significantly increases with age.
Genetics: Individuals with a family history of Alzheimer’s may be at a greater risk of developing the disease.
Cardiovascular health: Numerous cardiovascular risk factors can promote the appearance of the disease, including hypertension, heart disease, and stroke.
Neurological conditions: Previous neurological issues such as Parkinson’s disease may increase the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s.
Head injuries: Head injuries during a person’s life may increase the likelihood of developing the disease.

Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease is usually diagnosed by healthcare professionals using a combination of medical evaluations, cognitive assessments, neurological exams, and, if deemed necessary, a brain scan such as MRI, CT, or PET.

As there is currently no definitive cure, there are few examples of treatment options that can help to relieve symptoms and improve cognitive function in affected individuals.

While it is not possible to cure Alzheimer’s Disease, it is possible to manage the disease’s symptoms to increase the individual’s quality of life.

This typically involves medications to help manage psychiatric and mental well-being, cognitive therapy to increase cognitive function and support to manage physical, daily living activities.

Differentiation between Normal Memory Decline and Alzheimer’s Disease

It is essential to differentiate between normal memory decline and Alzheimer’s Disease to ensure the timely diagnosis and implementation of effective treatment strategies.

Below are some distinguishing factors between normal memory decline and Alzheimer’s Disease:.

Normal aging memory loss is not severe. Recall of recent types of information is the most affected, while long-term memory remains relatively unaffected. In contrast, Alzheimer’s Disease affects both short- and long-term memory and can cause difficulty remembering even the simplest of information.
Normal aging memory decline will not impact daily living, whereas Alzheimer’s Disease can significantly impact individuals’ daily lives.
Normal aging memory decline has a slower onset than Alzheimer’s Disease.
Normal aging memory decline does not contain other severe cognitive declines, such as language, problem-solving, decision making, and judgment impairment. Alzheimer’s Disease does cause significant cognitive decline beyond mere memory loss.

Final thoughts

The loss of memory is a common experience among aging individuals; however, differentiation between normal memory decline and Alzheimer’s Disease is essential to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.

While some memory decline is a normal part of aging, Alzheimer’s Disease is a severe, progressive neurodegenerative disorder that requires appropriate medical attention. Knowing the symptoms and risk factors of Alzheimer’s Disease can help individuals and caretakers identify potential cases, enabling individuals to receive critical support necessary for their condition’s best possible outcome.