Alzheimers disease diagnosis

Alzheimers disease diagnosis One of the most dreaded moments it to hear a neurologist say, "It appears that you have early stage Alzheimer's disease."

Adults worry about it. Physicians report an increasing number of mid-life patients concerned about the state of their memory.Those in their 40's who misplace keys or cell phone wonder if this is a first sign. Someone coming out to a parking lot thinking, "Now where did I park the car?" may feel a pang of concern. Am I starting with Alzheimer's?

Some things to remember about Alzheimers disease diagnosis

If you go to a neurologist with complaints about memory/brain functioning, he or she will do an assessment of mental functioning. If it appears that there are deficits, the neurologist will not 'jump to the conclusion' that this is Alzheimers. Instead a good neurologist will systematically rule out other possible causes for deterioration in brain function first. There will be a series of diagnostic tests - but we need to remember that at this stage of medicine none of these is 'definitive'.

In other words, Alzheimers diagnosis should be made when there appears to be no other practical diagnosis for deficits seen in a client. It is very important to remember this - not to have false hope BUT mistakes have been made. Some persons have been misdiagnosed and the non-diagnosis of their real condition has led to delays in treatment....and in some cases this can have serious consequences.

If you are concerned about mind and memory issues in yourself or someone you care about, do read about these other often overlooked causes. Be sure that each one has been ruled out before you accept an Alzheimers disease diagnosis.

• Often a prescription drug or some combination of drugs is at fault. be sure to bring ALL medications to your doctors appointment and/or check with your pharmacist about 'sideeffects' and 'drug interactions' for all the prescriptions being taken. This is important - sometimes it is the combination of drugs that can cause problems.
• It could be lyme disease.Symptoms of lyme disease
• Is it B12 deficiency
• Who is at most risk for B12 deficiency?
B12 deficiency
• Cortisol and Memory loss
• Research about dieting and brain function

Now, if in the end your neurologist concludes that it must be Alzheimers, I urge you to read two books. they are really helpful.

1. Peter Whitehouse M.D. is a neurologist and a major researcher in the field. He was a spokesman for pharmaceutical companies. He offers education and HOPE in his book The Myth of Alzheimers. Do read a description of thiswork if you have received Alzheimers disease diagnosis for yourself or someone you love.
2. A second book worth reading is one by Dharma Singh Khalsa M.D called Brain Longevity. This work discusses ways to slow (and in some cases to even reverse)brain deterioration
3. And finally, do read the pages on this site about Kirtan, a method of chanting that has been shown to reverse mild congnitive impairment and slowed the progression ofAlzheimers (The experiment did not last long enough to show it it could reverse Alzheimers). Click on Kirtan Chant Research study

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