Alzheimer’s disease is that dreaded condition under the umbrella of dementia illnesses that is most feared by patients. More than four million United States citizens are affected by this slow-progressing illness for which no known cure has been found. This disease attacks brain functions, in particular the center of the brain that deals with memory, communication, and decision-making. Symptoms may be:

Memory impairment that becomes worse over time

A duration of sickness that may be anywhere from three to twenty years from the first symptoms

Gradually apparent bouts of disorientation with respect to time and location, inability to make sound judgments, being given to rash decision making, and misplacing items in strange locations

As the illness progresses, the ability of take care of oneself is greatly diminished and patients will need assistance with such basic tasks as feeding, toileting and personal hygiene.

While these symptoms may not all be present all the time, they frequently do go together.

Yet did you know that there are some illnesses that may actually mimic the symptoms of Alzheimer’s? It is true! Take a look at these diseases that may cause you or your loved one to fear the dreaded Alzheimer’s:

Hypocalcaemia, which is a term denoting and overage of calcium in the bloodstream. The causes may be either a tumor secreting the electrolyte or hyperparathyroidism. One of the effects of a calcium overage in the blood is that of severe injunction of memory capability, which is similar to the loss of memory function experienced in Alzheimer’s patients. When hypocalcaemia is treated, either by surgery or through medication, the Alzheimer like symptoms diminish as well.

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