Alzheimer’s Test: What to Look For
Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disorder that causes a person to lose their memory, behave in ways they wouldn’t normally behave, and prevents its sufferers from thinking clearly. Since so many people suffer from the disease, an Alzheimer’s test should be conducted on everyone sixty-five or older, since these are the people Alzheimer’s affects most.
An Alzheimer’s test is important to ensure that the person isn’t just going through the usual memory loss associated with age; however, sometimes an Alzheimer’s test isn’t necessary. Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t just affect a person’s memory; it can make people see things that aren’t there, and even send them into screaming fits.
Alzheimer’s can make the afflicted think that people are out to get them, but this is a specific type of Alzheimer’s called Alzheimer’s dementia. Alzheimer’s is the leading cause of dementia in the elderly and, the truth is, people who suffer from dementia cannot care for themselves. This is another reason why an Alzheimer’s test is so important.
Once the onset of the disease occurs, an Alzheimer’s test may not be necessary. The worst symptoms of the disease are fairly easy to spot; however, if a person exhibits slight memory loss, such as the inability to remember things they normally wouldn’t need to think about, then an Alzheimer’s test is necessary.
Why Get Tested?
Millions of people suffer from Alzheimer’s in the United States and many don’t even know it yet. For this reason, an Alzheimer’s test is crucial in identifying the disease so that the person or their loved ones can arrange care plans before the disease begins to take its course.
An Alzheimer’s test determines how the brain processes information. It involves a series of psychological tests, as well as other tests that include menial everyday activities that should be easy with someone that doesn’t suffer from the disease. An Alzheimer’s test should be performed by a doctor or at least a trained professional who specializes in working with people with Alzheimer’s disease.
The other reason why an Alzheimer’s test is so important is that, if caught early enough, patients can often be put on one or more of the numerous drugs available to treat people who suffer from the disease. Alzheimer’s disease, unfortunately, doesn’t currently have a cure; however, while it can’t be cured, there are drugs available that can often be used to help the person stave off the disease for a little longer, or they can, at least, help make the rest of their lives a little more bearable.