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The earlier Alzheimer’s symptoms are detected, the better it is for the patient. Early detection can not only improve their overall quality of life, but can also extend it.

By diagnosing the disease early, patients are able to access critical care, recreation and therapy programs and even drugs that can help reduce the effects and onset of the disease.

For more information on diagnosing and understanding Alzheimer’s, along with information on its symptoms, read on.

How the Disease is Diagnosed

Alzheimer’s disease does not have a cure. It affects close to 4 million Americans and is prevalent among older individuals. However, many patients are often misdiagnosed with it, often because the associated symptoms are similar to those connected with other forms of senile dementia.

This form of dementia is considered to be a progressive degenerative disease. This means it is constantly progressing as it attacks the brain. The effects of it include memory loss, reduced brain function, physical breakdown and a general loss of social and emotional skills.

It is the most commonly diagnosed form of senile dementia, afflicting almost as many as 50 percent of those over the age of 85.

Common Symptoms Associated with It

Symptoms actually vary from person to person. However, they typically include chronic depression, forgetfulness, bouts of fatigue, poor dietary decisions, disorientation and possibly even paranoid or aggressive behavior.

However, a diagnosis of symptoms is never definitive while the person suffering the effects is alive, and a surefire diagnosis can only be obtained through a postmortem autopsy of the brain. Because of this, many instances of other forms of senile dementia are often incorrectly determined to be Alzheimer’s even when they are not.

Differentiating Among Other Forms of Dementia

Because the symptoms associated with this problem often mimic those of many forms of senile dementia, it’s critical that doctors eliminate alternative possibilities before making a definitive diagnosis.

Sometimes even a toxic reaction can cause symptoms that are similar to those associated with Alzheimer’s. In other instances, mental illness or depression that could be treated with drugs is diagnosed as Alzheimer’s because the patient is older. By double-checking these possibilities, a doctor can be more certain of his or her diagnosis and course of treatment.

How Alzheimer’s is Treated

Nutritional supplements have actually proven to be very effective in treating the disease and other types of senile dementia. For example, patients who are given daily supplements of coenzyme Q10, iron and B6 have been shown to experience a visible improvement in their normal, daily mental function. Other supplements that have been validated as effective include selenium, zinc and even primrose oil.

What to Do if You Suspect the Disease

If you or a loved one has recently started to exhibit some of the Alzheimer’s symptoms listed above, then it’s critical that you speak with your doctor as soon as possible. Early identification can make a huge difference in both treatment and ongoing quality of life.