5 Myths About Alzheimer’s Illness
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September is World Alzheimer’s Month.
Almost 2 out of three individuals dwelling with Alzheimer’s illness are ladies.
We all know — it’s a scary stat. However we’re sharing as a result of data is energy. And we wish you to share along with your family and friends and all the ladies as a result of once we discuss Alzheimer’s disease, we are able to get previous the scary stuff and concentrate on what ladies can do to assist scale back the danger for the progressive mind disorder.
Alzheimer’s slowly destroys cognitive abilities, comparable to studying, considering, paying consideration and remembering, over time and finally results in the lack to do easy, on a regular basis duties. However the important thing right here is over time.
Research present being proactive about your mind well being may also help lower the risk for Alzheimer’s disease. And realizing the danger elements, indicators and signs may also help you catch Alzheimer’s within the earlier phases when essentially the most therapy choices can be found.
Analysis is ongoing as to why the illness impacts extra ladies than males and what precisely causes Alzheimer’s within the first place. It’s no shock that the web has theories. Heck, you would possibly too. Both means, there’s a number of misinformation about Alzheimer’s illness on the market.
So, in honor of World Alzheimer’s Day — and ladies’s brains in all places — we’re busting a number of the most typical myths about Alzheimer’s disease with chilly, arduous details.
1. “Alzheimer’s and dementia are the identical illness.”
That’s a no. Alzheimer’s illness and dementia are associated, however they’re not the identical.
Dementia is an umbrella time period for a broad class of signs — decline in reminiscence, reasoning and/or different considering abilities — attributable to underlying mind illnesses.
Alzheimer’s is a mind illness and is the most typical reason behind dementia.
So, everybody dwelling with Alzheimer’s disease will finally have dementia, however not everybody with dementia has Alzheimer’s illness.
2. “Alzheimer’s and reminiscence loss are simply a part of getting older.”
Alzheimer’s illness causes cognitive decline, together with reminiscence loss, that severely disrupts on a regular basis life — we’re not speaking about forgetting the place you set your keys or the identify of a TV present now and again.
Alzheimer’s causes mind cells to die, which may have an effect on reminiscence, temper, habits, reasoning and considering.
Some widespread signs of Alzheimer’s can embody:
- Forgetting just lately discovered info, essential dates, occasions and different indicators of reminiscence loss
- Problem following a plan (like a recipe) or utilizing numbers
- Problem with acquainted duties like organizing a procuring record
- Confusion with time (dates, seasons, and many others.) or place
- Imaginative and prescient modifications that disrupt stability or trigger studying issues or the power to guage distance
- New issues talking or naming acquainted objects (calling a watch a “hand-clock”)
- Misplacing objects in uncommon locations
- Decreased judgment (e.g., much less consideration to non-public look or poor judgment with monetary choices)
- Withdrawal from social gatherings or work
- Temper and character shifts comparable to confusion, depression, being fearful, suspicious or anxious
Reminiscence and character modifications can occur with age, however Alzheimer’s is a mind illness. The earlier somebody can get a analysis, the higher the choices might be to assist handle the illness.
3. “Alzheimer’s illness solely impacts older adults.”
It’s true that most individuals identified with Alzheimer’s illness are 65 or older, however the illness impacts youthful individuals, too. Actually, about 200,000 individuals dwelling with Alzheimer’s within the U.S. are underneath the age of 65.
We now know that mind modifications from Alzheimer’s can begin 20 years or extra earlier than signs begin. That’s why it’s essential to be proactive about your mind well being and speak to your clinician if in case you have a household historical past of dementia or Alzheimer’s illness.
4. “Alzheimer’s is just identified in later phases.”
The science round Alzheimer’s is transferring quick. One notable development is FDA-cleared blood tests that may assist rule out or diagnose Alzheimer’s in its earlier phases.
In 2025, the Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared two blood checks that search for indicators of Alzheimer’s, and two new checks had been cleared in 2026.
Observe: These blood checks don’t diagnose Alzheimer’s on their very own — they only point out modifications within the mind. Consider them as instruments within the toolbox to assist clinicians discover a analysis.
Additionally good to notice: The blood checks are beneficial for individuals who present indicators of gentle cognitive impairment. The checks aren’t beneficial for common screening. However in case you’re experiencing signs or involved about your danger for Alzheimer’s illness, speak to your clinician about your choices.
Read: New Blood Tests for Alzheimer’s Can Help Diagnose the Disease >>
5. “There are not any actual drugs to deal with Alzheimer’s illness.”
At the moment, there’s no treatment for Alzheimer’s, however current developments in therapy choices may also help individuals dwelling with the illness handle signs and even sluggish the development of illness.
Early-stage remedies embody medication that connect and take away beta-amyloids (proteins that kind plaques within the mind that trigger cells to die).
Later-stage remedies focus extra on managing signs. These drugs embody cholinesterase inhibitors to assist with reminiscence and considering in individuals with gentle instances. And glutamate regulators assist with extra extreme signs comparable to performing on a regular basis duties.
The best way persons are receiving therapy can also be evolving. In July 2026, the FDA accredited the primary at-home beginning dose for Alzheimer’s illness therapy — which means individuals can start therapy at residence with out having to journey to a clinic.
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