Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
A Caregivers' Challenge: Dealing with "Sundowning" in Alzheimer's Disease
Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP,
FACR
"Sundowning" or "Sundown Syndrome" is a phenomenon well known to many of the estimated 2.4 to 3.1 million caregivers to persons with Alzheimer's diseasein the U.S. Sundowning refers to the changes in behavior and mood that often occur in the late afternoon or evening in people with Alzheimer's disease and similar conditions that alter brain function. These changes in mood and behavior can be particularly challenging for caregivers and loved ones.
Alzheimer's disease
(Alzheimer disease) is one of many causes of
dementia, an impairment in
memory and thinking that is severe enough to affect an individual's ability to
function in daily life. Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease are subtle at first and
may be identical to those associated with other causes of dementia. While this
article is a guide to the symptoms associated with various stages of Alzheimer's
disease, the diagnosis of the condition must be made by a doctor who can
determine the exact cause of the symptoms and rule out other causes of dementia.
Alzheimer's disease begins with a mild, slowly worsening memory loss. These
initial symptoms typically develop over a period of years and may be subtle. The
disease progresses at different rates in different people. Over time, people
with the disease lose their ability to think and reason clearly, make judgments,
solve problems, communicate, concentrate, remember useful information, and take
care of themselves.
As the disease progresses, changes in personality and behavior can develop.
Individuals may experience anxiety, agitation, paranoia, delusions, and
hallucinations.
Warning Signs of Alzheimer's Disease
The following signs are considered 'warning signs' that should prompt an
evaluation by a healthcare professional.
Head injury occurs when an outside force hits the head hard enough to cause the brain to move violently within the skull. This force can cause shaking, twisting, bruising (contusion), or sudden change in the movement of the brain (concussion).
In some cases, the skull can break. If the skull is not broken, the injury is a closed head injury. If the skull is broken, the injury is an open head injury.
In either case, the violent jarring of the brain damages brain tissue and tears nerves, blood vessels, and membranes.
The severity of this damage depends on the location and force of the blow to the head.
Damaged brain tissue does not work normally.
The brain has many different functions in the body, and any of them can be disrupted by this damage.
Alzheimer disease (Alzheimer’s disease, AD), the most common cause of dementia1, isan acquired cognitive and behavioral impairment of sufficient severity that markedly interferes with social and occupational functioning.
