With September and World Alzheimer\u2019s Month fast approaching, two experts have issued advice<\/a> on the symptoms to look out for and how those struggling with Alzheimer\u2019s can be better supported.<\/p>\n What is Alzheimer\u2019s disease?<\/p>\n Alzheimer\u2019s disease <\/a>mostly affects older adults, but it can develop in younger people under the age of 65, when it is known as young onset Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n It is thought to be caused by a build-up of proteins in the brain<\/a> which affect how the brain cells transmit messages, says the specialist dementia nursing charity Dementia UK.<\/p>\n As time passes, more brain cells are damaged, leading to worsening symptoms, and there is currently no cure to stop or reverse the disease.<\/p>\n World Alzheimer\u2019s Month is in September (Alamy\/PA) (Alamy\/PA)<\/p>\n Professor Arshad Rather, consultant geriatrician at Medical Express Clinic, explained that people often conflate Alzheimer\u2019s disease and dementia, but they are not the same.<\/p>\n Rather says: \u201cDementia is an umbrella term. It\u2019s a group of diseases that have one thing in common \u2013 that is problem with the cognition.<\/p>\n \u201cThat problem with the cognition is progressive and, over time, it affects your ability to look after yourself and, ultimately, you die because of the complications. That\u2019s dementia.<\/p>\n \u201cNow, dementia is caused by different diseases. The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer\u2019s, followed by vascular dementia\u2026 and there are lots of other causes of dementia.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not a single disease that causes dementia but, by far, the most common cause is Alzheimer\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n What are the symptoms of Alzheimer\u2019s?<\/p>\n Rather says it is important to remember that \u201cdementia is not a normal part of ageing\u201d \u2013 and while age is a risk factor, not all older people have dementia.<\/p>\n While most people \u201cslow down\u201d with age, and this can affect memory, certain signs and symptoms should not be dismissed.<\/p>\n Dementia UK says the most noticeable early sign of Alzheimer\u2019s disease is usually difficulty with memory, especially short-term.<\/p>\n For the middle to late stages, symptoms can include increasing confusion and disorientation, delusions, hallucinations, problems with speech and language, loss of speech, incontinence and mobility problems.<\/p>\n Dementia UK says the most noticeable early sign of Alzheimer\u2019s disease is usually difficulty with memory, especially short-term (Getty\/iStock)<\/p>\n Hannah Gardner, consultant admiral nurse for children and young people at Dementia UK, says the symptoms can affect individuals in different ways.<\/p>\n She explains: \u201cIt can cause confusion, disorientation, getting lost in familiar places, difficulty in planning and making decisions as well, and it can affect confidence and anxiety.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not a normal process of ageing, it impacts the person individually. The classic is that short-term memory issue, but it\u2019s not just a memory issue. It impacts every aspect of their life.<\/p>\n \u201cI think people think, \u2018Oh, it\u2019s just a memory problem, that\u2019s all\u2019, but actually, it impacts planning, confidence, self-awareness, remembering, appointments, paying bills, remembering a pin number as well.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople do put it down to just getting old, but it\u2019s actually a disease of the brain.\u201d<\/p>\n Do symptoms differ between genders?<\/p>\n Gardner says women are more likely to have or develop Alzheimer\u2019s disease and men are more likely to develop vascular dementia, the second most common type of dementia.<\/p>\n However, when it comes to differences between genders, she says it is \u201call down to the individual person\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cWomen are living longer, so they are more likely to develop dementia because we have medicines for other diseases,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n \u201cI think social isolation, depression and loneliness can impact the chances of developing dementia in women.<\/p>\n \u201cWomen are more likely to be carers as well \u2013 that can cause extra stress.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s all down to the individual person. I think dementia affects people individually.\u201d<\/p>\n Men are more likely to develop vascular dementia, the second most common type of dementia (PA)<\/p>\n Gardner says women are perhaps \u201cmore open or more likely to go to a GP than a man to get diagnosed\u201d, which could impact diagnoses between genders.<\/p>\n However, she is encouraging anyone with symptoms to get checked and to reach out for help when needed.<\/p>\n Rather adds: \u201cThe symptoms differ depending on the type of dementia, not necessarily with men and women.\u201d<\/p>\n Does treatment differ between genders?<\/p>\n There is currently no cure for Alzheimer\u2019s disease, but medication can improve the symptoms and slow its progression.<\/p>\n Along with other treatments such as cognitive therapy, social activities, music groups and reminiscence sessions can help, but Rather says the drugs currently available do not \u201creverse the problem\u201d.<\/p>\n![\"World](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/01ec3e33-3851-44f2-8169-dfb959de5c32.jpg\"\/)
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