Are You Losing Your Mind? Watch Out for These 10 Symptoms of Alzheimer's

For the past 5 months, I've lived with an elderly woman who's showing definite symptoms of Alzheimer's. For the purpose of this article, I will call her Anna.

How do I know Anna is showing signs of Alzheimer's?

The Alzeimer's Association web site describes 10 early symptoms of Alzheimer's and states that "if you notice any of them, please a doctor."

Here are the 10 warning signs (according to the web site mentioned above) and the actual behavior I have observed:

1.  Memory Loss that disrupts daily life.
Anna forgets doctor's appointments, has missed her daughter's birthday, and repeatedly asks the date of upcoming events.

2.  Challenges in planning or solving problems.
Anna can no longer balance her own checkboook or follow recipes. It takes her a long time to prepare a simple salad.

3.  Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure.
Several times in the past few months Anna has driven to a familiar shopping area and could not find her way home. The first time she drive 40 miles in the wrong direction. The second time she could not find her way home even though she was less than a mile away.

4.  Confusion with time or place.
Just recently, Anna was told many times that she would leave on a trip at 6:30 A.M.the next morning.  At 4:00 A.M., Anna was dressed and woke up the entire household announcing that it was time to leave.

5.  Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships.
I have not observed any examples with vision, color, or distance - but then, I will not ride in a car when she is driving. Would you?

6.  New problems with words in speaking or writing.
When Anna cannot remember a specific word as she is speaking, she creates a description or a new word.

7.  Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps.
In the past few months, Anna accused other people of taking her car keys, the garage door opener, and the back door key. All these items eventually were found in her possession. She constantly misplaces documents.

8.  Decreased or poor judgment.
I have not observed this symptom directly except that Anna believes our dogs can eat any kind of people food, a belief that has caused a few dog mishaps.

9.  Withdrawal from work or social activities.
Anna interacts mainly with family members and engages in minimal social activities.

10. Changes in mood and personality.
Anna is frequently agitated and expresses anger by yelling. Her interactions are often confrontational and argumentative.

Unfortunately, Anna is experiencing problems coping with everyday life which might be caused by Alzheimer's. But she refuses to acknowledge that she is having problems and will not seek help.

Note that the Alzheimer's Association article does mention normal behavior in each of the areas described above. The article link is here.

If you are interested in preventing or stopping memory loss, please read this article:
Stop Memory Loss Now.

Dr. Oz Explains Pills to Prevent And Stop Memory Loss

Real Age doctors Oz and Roizen wrote an outstanding article explaining Pills That Prevent Memory Loss. So, if you are want to stop memory loss, here's the article:
http://www.realage.com/blogs/doctor-oz-roizen/pills-that-prevent-memory-loss?eid=8559&memberid=16240781

For those who would rather get the condensed version, the doctors recommend the following:

Take 162 milligrams (two baby aspirin or half a regular aspirin) morning and night.

Men and women over 18 can take 40 milligrams of B6, 800 micrograms of B12, and 400 micrograms of folic acid daily.

Men and women over 18 can take 900 milligrams of algae-based DHA Omega-3 daily.

And here's another way to sharpen your memory from the good doctors:

Staying in touch with friends and loved ones could slow the pace at which your memory dwindles with age.

The TOP Three Ways To Slow Aging

If you're one of the 80 million baby boomers, you may search the net for ways to slow aging or even reverse the effects of aging.

For example, for those who suffer from CRS (Can't Remember Stuff), "stop memory loss" is a familiar keyword. Stop by the featured Squuidoo lens in the right column of this blog to see the most recent research about this topic.

You may fall prey to the anti-aging products that seem to be everywhere. Most are geared to outward appearances. Okay, so maybe you'll look younger. And that might make you feel younger UNTIL you are reminded of your real age by the number of medications you take every day, or the groaning when you get up from the couch.

The 3 TOP Ways To Slow Aging

Okay, so I'm gettting off topic. When you net surf, you are going to find hundreds of ways to feel younger. Only a few PRODUCE RESULTS (that is; they help slow aging). Over time - these lifestyle changes WORK and the scientific research provides proof . Under each of these top ways to slow aging is a web site where you can find more information.

Exercise your body AND your brain.
http://age-defying-workouts.info/

Eat to minimize inflammation.
http://squidoo.com/anti-aging-program

Strengthen the mind body connection (if you think you're old, you will feel old).

http://squidoo.com/mind-body-fitness

Are You Willing To Spend 5 Minutes Each Day To Stop Memory Loss Now?

Stop Memory Loss? Yes - it is possible to stop and even reverse memory loss.

But you need to be willing to spend a few minutes per day doing siimple brain exercises.

Brainercise or neurobics are simple brain exercises. This mental exercise helps develop mental acuity and defend against dementia and and even Alzeimer's disease.

Not only is brainercise painless, it doesn't take forever. Five minutes per day is enough time to start developing new brain pathways and improving cognitive functioning.

The brain is an amazing organ and can recover from unbelievable trauma. Brainercise focuses brain development on the less frequently used parts of the brain, similar to what brain-injured patients are able to accomplish.

For example, try the simple act of brushing your teeth with your eyes closed. Close your eyes, find the toothpaste and toothbrush, turn on the water faucets, brush your teeth, rinse, and put away the toothbrush and tooth paste. You have just exercised the part of your brain that controls your sense of touch.

If you would like specific exercises for your memory, you can get a book of exercises (http://squidoo.com/stop-memory-loss)

If you would rather listen to experts lead you through brainercise and brain functioning, here's an excellent program:



Stop memory loss now!

Age Defiance and Longevitity Key Topics - Age Defying Workouts, Age-Specific Nutrition, and Brainercise/Neurobics

Is This Your Future?

Are you a boomer and beginning to feel the effects of primary aging (joint pain, aching muscles, memory loss)?

Not a problem - you can address these age defiance and longevity issues from more than a few angles.

Here's of list of informational sources on these topics and the areas they address:

Boomer or Zoomer?
Are you a boomer or a boomer with zip (zoomer)? Discover the personal attributes that promote longevity with quality of life.

Fitness for Boomers and Age Defying Workouts
Boomers need to keep fit and eat nutritional meals to keep up with the aging process and to continue feeling youthful and vital. Age-specific activity levels and nutritional requirements are discussed.

Stop Memory Loss NOW!
There are three ways to provent and stop memory loss. Find out what they are BEFORE it's too late!

Challenge the aging process!
Defy aging!
Erase the belief that "It's tough to get old!"
Do it now!

3 Simple Ways to Prevent, Reverse and Stop Memory Loss Now

The best way to stop memory loss is to develop a healthy brain. How do you do that?

You'll need to look into each of these three activities and start doing each of them now:

Exercise/Movement
In case you haven't tried simple movement in the past few years, let me remind you how being active makes you feel alive and much younger. No more groaning to get up from couch potato duty or holding onto the stair rail.

Execrcise and movement could be as simple as regular walking or if you need some real structure - an age-specific workout program like the first ever age defying workout program at age-defying-workouts.info.

Exercise helps feed the brain by promoting circulation and supplying nutrients and oxygen to the brain.

Brain Nutrition
There are specific foods that promote brain health and decrease inflammation. They are explained in this lens: squidoo.com/stop-memory-loss.

And of course supplements help, but that would be a conversation between you and your doctor or nutritionist. Since supplementation needs to be customized to work well, it's best to consult the experts.

Brainercise or Neurobics
Yup - you can actually exercise your brain with crossword puzzles, word problems, and changes in schedule. See squidoo.com/stop-memory-loss for a video and suggestions on brainercise for you.

Okay, those are the 3 activities to start doing to prevent, reverse, or stop memory loss.

Here's to finding your keys and your car in the parking lot every time!