It takes an average of thirty months from the time a family notices symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease to the actual diagnosis. Researchers at the Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland interviewed 244 caregivers and family members of people with Alzheimer’s disease. The April 1999 issue of the American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease published their report. It listed the following reasons as the cause of delay in diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease.
Family did not know about Alzheimer’s and didn’t know it was a disease- 72%
The family thought changes in person were normal part of aging- 50%
Did not know what kind of doctor to see- 44%
Did not know how to explain the problem to the doctor- 38%
Not able to see the doctor in private- 27%
Doctor did not take concerns seriously- 29%
Doctor said problem was due to normal aging- 25%
Diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease is not always easy. There is no test that shows the plaques and tangles in the brain. Doctors use several methods to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease.
Medical history- Your doctor will take a complete medical history. The medical history will include questions and information about present health, past medical problems, family history of disease and illness, present symptoms and problems.
Physical Exam- A physical exam is important to rule out any other possible causes of the symptoms the patient is having.
Mental Status Exam- The doctor will ask the patient several questions to assess mental functioning, orientation, memory and language skills.
Neurological Exam- A visit to the neurologist is very important. Neurologists are the experts in Alzheimer’s disease. He will test coordination, eye movements, muscle tone, speech and sensory ability. The neurologist can accurately assess the possibility of another disease causing the symptoms, such as a stroke or brain tumor.
Brain Imagining- Brain imaging tests such as Cat scans or MRI can be performed to see if the brain looks normal. Other tests might include an EEG (tests brain waves) or PET scan.
Laboratory tests- It is prudent to look at lab values in the blood to rule out imbalances and infections as the cause of symptoms.
Psychological/psychiatric testing- Your doctor may want you to visit a psychiatrist to rule out any psychiatric problems you may be having. They will assess you for depression, memory problems, and reasoning.
An early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is important. Early diagnosis allows for planning while the Alzheimer’s patient can still make decisions. Care options can be discussed and financial matters can be taken care of. Early diagnosis also offers the best chance at treating the disease symptoms.