Alzheimer's disease is often associated with memory problems, but new research published in the Alzheimer's Association journal suggests that the disease may be linked to several other health conditions many years before diagnosis.
According to a study reported by Prevention, some of these signs may appear up to 15 years before the disease is diagnosed.
Symptoms may appear many years before diagnosis
Researchers examined health records covering the 15 years leading up to an Alzheimer's diagnosis. The various health problems were particularly common during the final five years before diagnosis.
The study included 407 people with early-onset Alzheimer's disease and more than 4,000 people in the control group.
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Dizziness may be an early sign
Dizziness was recorded in 5.9 percent of people who were later diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's, compared with 2.1 percent in the control group.
However, researchers emphasize that dizziness can have many other causes.
Thyroid problems
The study found that 2.5 percent of patients had thyroid disorders, compared with 0.8 percent of people in the control group.
Researchers do not yet know how these conditions might be connected to Alzheimer's disease.
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Depression may be linked to the disease
Around 5.7 percent of patients had been diagnosed with depression in the years leading up to their Alzheimer's diagnosis. By comparison, the figure was 2.3 percent in the control group.
Changes in the brain may affect mood before memory problems become noticeable.
Epilepsy was more common
Researchers found that 2.2 percent of patients had epilepsy before their Alzheimer's diagnosis, compared with 0.7 percent in the control group.
It remains unclear whether there is a direct connection between the two conditions.
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Headaches were reported more frequently
Headaches were reported in 4.9 percent of people who later developed early-onset Alzheimer's, compared with 1.6 percent in the control group.
However, this does not mean that ordinary headaches are a reliable sign of dementia.
Ear, nose and throat disorders
People with early-onset Alzheimer's were also more likely to have been diagnosed with ear, nose or throat disorders in the one to five years before their diagnosis.
These conditions affected 5.2 percent of patients, compared with 2.9 percent of people in the control group.
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Alcohol-related problems
Alcohol-related disorders were recorded in 3.4 percent of patients, compared with 1.4 percent in the control group.
However, researchers cannot determine whether these problems contribute to the development of the disease or are associated with other factors.
Strokes were more common among patients
Around 4.4 percent of people with early-onset Alzheimer's had experienced a stroke before their diagnosis. In the control group, the figure was 2 percent.
Stroke was therefore among the health conditions that occurred more frequently in patients who later developed the disease.
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Brain injuries may be associated with Alzheimer's
Brain injuries were recorded in 2.9 percent of patients, compared with 0.9 percent in the control group.
However, the study does not establish whether these injuries play a role in the development of Alzheimer's disease.
Sudden confusion may occur
Delirium, a condition characterized by sudden confusion, was recorded in 1.5 percent of patients. In the control group, the figure was just 0.1 percent.
This made delirium one of the conditions with the largest relative differences between the two groups.
Multiple unusual symptoms should be investigated
Experts emphasize that individual symptoms such as headaches, depression or dizziness do not necessarily indicate Alzheimer's disease.
If several unusual health problems occur at the same time, particularly alongside memory difficulties or language problems, it is advisable to consult a doctor. An early diagnosis can provide better opportunities for treatment and support.
This article is made and published by Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk, who may have used AI in the preparation.