Alzheimer's disease
Also called: senile dementia
A progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions.
- Treatment can help, but this condition can't be cured
- Requires a medical diagnosis
- Lab tests or imaging not required
- Chronic: can last for years or be lifelong
Brain cell connections and the cells themselves degenerate and die, eventually destroying memory and other important mental functions.
Very common: More than 3 million US cases per year
Consult a doctor for medical advice
Sources: Mayo Clinic and others. Learn more
People also ask
What is the life expectancy of a person with Alzheimer's?
The average life expectancy figures for the most common types of dementia are as follows: Alzheimer's disease – around eight to 10 years. Life expectancy is less if the person is diagnosed in their 80s or 90s. A few people with Alzheimer's live for longer, sometimes for 15 or even 20 years.
What is the average age of Alzheimer's patients?
Most people with Alzheimer's are age 65 and older. About 1 in 9 people age 65 and older in the United States has Alzheimer's disease. About 110 of every 100,000 adults between ages 30 and 64 have young-onset Alzheimer's.
What are the 5 warning signs of Alzheimer's disease?
Signs of Mild Alzheimer's disease
Memory loss that disrupts daily life.
Poor judgment, leading to bad decisions.
Loss of spontaneity and sense of initiative.
Losing track of dates or knowing current location.
Taking longer to complete normal daily tasks.
Repeating questions or forgetting recently learned information.
What is Alzheimer's caused by?
The causes probably include a combination of age-related changes in the brain, along with genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. The importance of any one of these factors in increasing or decreasing the risk of developing Alzheimer's may differ from person to person.
Apr 5, 2023
Alzheimer's Association national site – information on Alzheimer's disease and dementia symptoms, diagnosis, stages, treatment, care and support resources.