Detecting signs of Alzheimer's disease

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CHICAGO, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- U.S. experts at the Alzheimer's Association offer help in differentiating between changes that come with aging and Alzheimer's disease.

Being less able to remember certain things as a person gets older, they say, need not be a sign of ill health.

"The symptoms of Alzheimer's disease are much more severe than simple memory lapses," the experts said in a statement. "People with Alzheimer's experience difficulties communicating, thinking, reasoning and learning -- problems severe enough to have an impact on an individual's work, social activities and family life."

For example, most people are sometimes stumped finding the right word, but people with dementia forget simple words or substitute with unusual words -- such as "that thing for my mouth" for toothbrush.

Misplacing items is not unusual, but those with Alzheimer's disease put things in unusual places such as an iron in the freezer. Errors in judgment happen, but decreased judgment -- such as wearing heavy clothing on a hot day -- is a sign of Alzheimer's.

Who isn't moody at times or weary? But someone with Alzheimer's disease may show rapid mood swings -- from calm to tears to anger for no apparent reason -- or become very passive, sitting in front of the TV for hours and sleeping more than usual.