The terms “Alzheimer’s” and “dementia” are often used interchangeably. Despite their similarities, there are differences between the two.

Dementia is the umbrella term for the mental health condition that involves changes in thinking, reasoning, and memory. There are several root causes of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

In fact, Alzheimer’s is considered the most common cause of dementia, contributing to 60%–70% of all dementia cases. It’s not a natural part of aging but a progressive brain disease. According to the latest data, more than 6 million Americans are dealing with Alzheimer’s disease. This number is expected to increase to nearly 13 million by 2050.

Although it’s commonly believed to affect seniors 65 and older, around 5% of those with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis have the early-onset form. This usually means that the person is in their 40s or 50s.

Understanding the early symptoms of Alzheimer’s is critical to the individual’s quality of life. This is because an early diagnosis significantly increases the chance of benefiting from treatments.

Here are 8 early warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease!