The four A's are four terms that define some of Alzheimer's disease's most common symptoms. The letters A stand for the following:

Amnesia

Memory loss, often known as amnesia, is the most noticeable and prevalent symptom of Alzheimer's disease. Short-term memory loss is common in Alzheimer's disease, and it develops to a reduction in long-term memory. 1

There are several varieties of amnesia, such as:2

Retrograde amnesia refers to memory loss that occurs before a head trauma or before the onset of a disease like Alzheimer's. Retrograde amnesia makes it difficult to recall memories that have already been stored in memory.

Anterograde amnesia is memory loss that occurs after a brain injury or disease. It occurs for events that occur or information that is delivered. Anterograde amnesia impairs the ability to form new memories.

Aphasia

Aphasia is a word that describes a communicative disorder. Aphasia is divided into two types: expressive aphasia, in which a person struggles to find the proper words or says them wrongly, and receptive aphasia, in which a person's capacity to grasp, receive, and comprehend language is compromised.

Aphasia is most usually associated with speech and language disability, although it can also affect reading and writing abilities.

Both receptive and expressive aphasia is affected by Alzheimer's disease. There may be some moderate difficulty finding the proper term in the initial phases of Alzheimer's. Speech may become incoherent and difficult to follow as Alzheimer's disease develops, so it might be difficult to discern much of what you communicate is being understood. 3

Thus, while talking with someone who has dementia, your nonverbal communication—which is a crucial element of connecting when cognition is undamaged much more important. This can range from simple techniques like continuing to smile to reassuring your loved member that you are there to support her to more complicated non-verbal ways like showing a task you want her to do.

Apraxia

Apraxia is a disorder in which voluntary motor abilities are impaired. While Alzheimer's disease is well recognized for impacting cognitive function, it also has an impact on the body's physical capabilities. As Alzheimer's disease advances, the ability to do daily tasks such as washing and dressing may deteriorate. In the later stages of Alzheimer's disease, activities like walking and eating become increasingly difficult. 4

People with Alzheimer's disease are more likely to fall as a result of these changes, and if they do fall, individuals are more likely to fracture their hip. Maintaining a high level of activity for as long as feasible may assist to prevent some of the physiological symptoms of apraxia that occur with Alzheimer's disease. 5

Agnosia

Agnosia is a condition in which the capacity to receive or interpret sensory input of hearing, smell, flavor, touch, and vision is impaired. People with Alzheimer's disease, for example, are frequently unable to recognize odors or comprehend the sensation of a full bladder. As the condition develops, they may also lose the ability to identify loved ones6. In Alzheimer's disease, it's common to have trouble identifying or comprehending visual forms.

Agnosia can also be auditory, in which the capacity to discern what sounds signify is diminished although the sensation of hearing is intact.

Agnosia is frequently assessed as part of a mental process. On the short mental state exam (MMSE), for example, one assignment requires the test-taker to duplicate an intersected pentagon figure. Difficulty with this item lowers a person's overall score on the exam and might indicate cognitive impairment.

A Word

Many symptoms of Alzheimer's disease can be loosely classified into these four groups. If you see these signs in someone you care about, make an appointment with a doctor for a thorough examination. While the symptoms may be caused by Alzheimer's disease, they might also be caused by other illnesses, some of which are treatable if diagnosed and treated. As a result, early detection and assessment are both required and advantageous. 7