Alzheimer's Disease: Common Myths

Alzheimer's is becoming one of the "household names" that everyone has heard of. Unfortunately there is a lot about the disease that is misunderstood. People often fear what they do not know and may not understand or misinterpret certain facts. It is commonplace for "myths" to surface concerning disease.

Alzheimer's Disease is one such disease where Myth's surround our understanding of the disease. Clarifying fact from myth can help to aid not only our understanding of the disease but help us to feel more compassionate towards those who suffer from it or who have family members afflicted by this heart-wrenching disease. There are five common myths surrounding Alzheimer's Disease.

Myth #1 Memory Loss

A common myth is that memory loss is a natural part of the aging process and that it is natural for someone of advanced years to suffer from memory loss. They assume then that because Alzheimer's involves memory loss that therefore Alzheimer's is a natural part of aging. Alzheimer's is NOT a natural part of aging it is a disease. As a disease it does NOT affect every elderly person. Just because a person is elderly, it does not mean that they will get Alzheimer's.

As far as I know it has never been proven by any study, that the aging process causes memory loss. Severe memory loss is though a symptom of a serious illness. Anyone who experiences memory loss should not be dismissed as a normal and accepted part of aging. A physician should evaluate any occurrence of severe memory loss. A sign of Alzheimer's is when a person suffers memory loss of simple, common things in their life. Simple things like not knowing their address, or not knowing people that they have known for years.

Myth #2 Alzheimer's is NOT Fatal