Mailbag: 7 Alzheimer’s Early Warning Signs
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted February 6, 2024
“I’ve been more forgetful lately. Is this a normal part of aging or could it be early Alzheimer’s?”
– Martha
Hi Martha,
Feeling more forgetful can be frustrating. Sometimes, it can even be frightening.
But it’s NOT necessarily an early sign of Alzheimer’s.
You see, as we age, we accumulate a LOT of information to store away in our memory.
That means it sometimes takes a while to find the exact “files in the filing cabinet” you’re looking for or to sort through all those noisy details to remember something you need to do.
Stress (including the good kind from POSITIVE life events) can also cause us to become more absentminded.
But there are some early warning signs of dementia we should all be on the lookout for.
- Mood changes: We all have days when we’re in a good or bad mood. But the shift in mood that’s sometimes seen with Alzheimer’s is generally for the worse (grumpier, sadder, more negative) and doesn’t improve.
- Memory loss: Everyone forgets from time to time where they put their keys or the name of someone they met a week ago. The memory loss I’m talking about is frequently forgetting newly-learned information or needing to rely on notes (or your phone) to keep you organized.
- Loss of problem-solving skills: If you’re suddenly unable to do something you know how to do or mastered long ago, it could be an Alzheimer’s red flag. For example, I’m great at directions, and my wife is fantastic at remembering faces. If you were to challenge her with directions and me with faces, we’d both fail. But if I started having trouble finding my way home or she was suddenly unable to recall friends’ faces, that could be a sign of a problem.
- Difficulty speaking: If you suddenly find yourself searching for words and using phrases like “what’s his name” or “that thingamajig,” often you might have aphasia (trouble finding the right word). This can be an early sign of the brain dysfunction seen with Alzheimer’s.
- Time/place confusion: We all forget an appointment occasionally, but missing many appointments, not knowing the season, or forgetting something that happened last week can all be signs of brain problems.
- Visual issues: New vision problems such as judging distances or determining colors can be another early warning sign of Alzheimer’s.
- Withdrawal from activities: If someone you know stops participating in their everyday activities, it can be a sign of early-onset Alzheimer’s. (But it’s also a common sign of depression.)
However, spotting the red flags in yourself can sometimes be challenging. So, go ahead and share this list with a loved one as well. That way, you can be each other’s “second set of eyes.”
If you find you or a loved one experiencing any of these common signs, don’t panic. They can also be indicators of other issues, from stress to infections.
Instead, make an appointment with your doctor to discuss them and have testing done if there are still concerns.
P.S. Down a (DELICIOUS) daily mug of Alzheimer’s prevention.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Microplastics’ Hidden Link to Chronic Disease EXPOSED
By now, you’ve heard about microplastics. These tiny fragments of plastic have invaded virtually every corner of our planet. We’re just beginning to understand the scope of the threat, but we know microplastics pose a serious risk to our health. If you’re like many folks, you’ve shrugged off those dangers, thinking there’s nothing you can...
Shakespeare’s “Remembrance” Herb Protects Memory
You probably have a jar of rosemary sitting in your spice rack. Perhaps you sprinkle it on potatoes or add it to roast chicken. But what if this humble herb could hold the key to fighting one of the most devastating diseases we can face as we age? It turns out a hidden compound inside...
Is Your Gut “Good”? How to Check
I always get asked, “How do I know if my digestion is working right?” Well, the answer is pretty simple, but it’s also a little gross. A simple test you can do at home reveals whether your digestion is normal or not. Your digestive system processes everything you eat—extracting nutrients, and eliminating waste. The time...
Hidden Sugar Trap Fuels Lung Cancer
We’ve long known that smoking is the main villain behind lung cancer. But what if your dinner plate has quietly joined forces with the enemy? A new study from the University of Florida reveals that the typical Western diet could be laying the groundwork for aggressive lung cancer growth by feeding tumors with stored sugar....
Mailbag: Can A Diabetic Enjoy Desserts? The Surprising Answer
“If you have diabetes, may you eat a very few sweets in a week?” —Sweet Tooth Hi Sweet Tooth, Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition where your body either resists the effects of insulin (a hormone that regulates sugar in your blood) or doesn’t produce enough of it to maintain normal blood sugar levels....
Sleepless Nights? Beware of this Deadly Danger
We all have that friend who brags about their four-hour-a-night sleep schedule like it’s some kind of superpower. “I’ll sleep when I’m dead,” they proclaim while chugging their third energy drink of the morning. Well, science has bad news for these sleep-skimping show-offs. You might be accelerating your appointment with the Grim Reaper far more...
Drive-Thru Disaster Hits Fast Forward on Aging
Ever wonder why some of your high school classmates look like they’re aging much faster while others seem frozen in time? It’s not always just good genes or expensive creams—it could be what they’re ordering at the drive-thru. A troubling new study revealed that a fast-food habit doesn’t just expand your waistline—it fast-forwards your biological...
The “Salty” Truth About Your Mood
You know salt gets a bad rap for raising blood pressure. But what if I told you it might be messing with your mood, too? According to a new study out of China, eating too much salt could trigger depression—not just through vague “bad diet” effects, but by activating specific immune cells in the brain....
Ancient Herb Has a Modern Secret for Youthful Skin
You can spend hundreds—maybe even thousands—on anti-aging creams, lotions, and potions that promise to turn back the clock. But let’s be honest… most of them do little more than moisturize and smell nice. Now, a new study is turning that entire anti-aging skincare industry on its head—and the secret comes from an herb that’s been...
Let It Go—The Unexpected Freedom of “Fart Walks”
Ever notice your walk sometimes comes with some, well… unexpected sound effects? One step, two step, POOT! There’s a perfectly reasonable explanation for this natural phenomenon. Passing gas on your daily stroll is totally normal—and it means your digestive system is working well. Here’s what’s happening… Walking and other physical activities stimulate your digestive tract,...