Alzheimer's Disease: Prognosis and Complications

Overview of complications from Alzheimer's disease plus prognosis for the Alzheimer's patient.

Alzheimer's Complications

A person with Alzheimer's disease can experience the following complications:

• Falls (from impaired coordination)
• "Sundowning" (withdrawal or agitation in the evening)
• Malnutrition and dehydration
• Infection (from urinary tract infections or pneumonia)
• Asphyxiation (stopped breathing)
• Harmful or violent behavior toward self or others
• Suicide
• Poor health and support due to caregiver burnout
• Physical and emotional abuse, including neglect
• Coronary disease

Prognosis for Alzheimer's Patients

There is no known cure for Alzheimer's disease; the disease naturally progresses and worsens over time. People with the disease can survive for many years, however. While most people with Alzheimer's die within 8 to 10 years, some live as long as 25 years.

Some people decline steadily during their disease, while others reach major plateaus where their symptoms advance quite slowly. Men and people with a long-standing history of high blood pressure are more likely to decline rapidly. Additionally, the older a person with Alzheimer's disease becomes, the more likely he or she is to decline rapidly.

An accurate, early diagnosis gives affected individuals a greater chance of benefiting from existing treatments.