Ahhh...the somewhat elusive diagnosis; the waiting, the pricking, the waiting, the endless parade of intrusive questions about shortness of breath, appetite, and frequency of bowel movements can be more trying than, well, having to do it again and again. Did I mention the waiting? You feel exhausted just looking at "DR Appt" scribbled on your kitchen calendar.

Good natured friends and relatives tell you to keep a good attitude and all you want to do is stick your tongue out and pour your iced tea over their head. "There is a light at the end of the tunnel" does not bring much comfort when you are still searching for the tunnel. It is like being in a labyrinth without a flashlight or pocketknife (and no recollection of a MacGyver episode that could help). A proper diagnosis for early onset Alzheimer's can sometimes be more difficult than playing mah-jongg blindfolded.

Knowing What To Look For With Early Onset Alzheimer's

The task of detecting early symptoms for an illness like early onset Alzheimer's is about as easy as riding a pony backwards while flipping pancakes in the air. It is not impossible, but you should prepare for losing a lot of pancakes while sliding off your pony. One of the most commons problems is deducing what are actual symptoms of dementia and what is simply part of the aging process. Forgetting a name or appointment every now and then is normal. Sometimes you slip, as Freud once pointed out.

Other key warnings to keep your senses peeled with regards to early onset Alzheimer's are increasing moments of confusion, and drastic personality changes. And not a Jekyll and Hyde kind of change either. That might indicate a personality disorder. Or a secret lab in the basement. Is your loved one or friend more out of character on a frequent basis? You can also look for withdrawal and apathy, as well as losing their ability to do simple everyday tasks. If you are concerned, dive into some research and see what you can find, in libraries and online.

There is a small percentage of people worldwide who have a defective gene that seems to trigger early onset Alzheimer's disease. Researchers and physicians are still not sure what causes the illness to afflict those under the age of 55; most times symptoms begin to appear as early as forty years old. Advancements in medicine are made all the time, so there is always hope.