MARSHALL FOR YOUR HEALTH-DECEMBER 2025

ABOUT MARSHALL
Marshall is an independent,
nonprofit community
healthcare provider
located in the heart of the
Sierra Foothills between
Sacramento and South
Lake Tahoe. Marshall
includes Marshall Hospital,
a fully accredited acute
care facility with 111 beds
located in Placerville;
several outpatient facilities
in Cameron Park,
El Dorado Hills, Placerville
and Georgetown; and
many community health
and education programs.
Marshall has nearly 220
licensed providers and
a team of over 1,400
employees providing
quality healthcare services
to the residents of
El Dorado County.
For Your Health is
published as a community
service by
MARSHALL
1100 Marshall Way
Placerville, CA 95667
telephone 530-622-1441
or 916-933-2273;
www.marshallmedical.org
It is intended to provide
information about health in
general as well as healthcare
services and resources
available in El Dorado County.
Information comes from a
wide range of medical experts.
If you have any concerns
or questions about specific
content that may affect your
health, please contact your
healthcare provider.
To reach the editor of For Your
Health, contact Fernando
Diaz at 530-626-2675 or
fdiaz@marhsallmedical.org
6 Surprising Facts
About Alzheimer’s
Disease
Here is some lesser-known
information about this
increasingly common condition.
When most people think of Alzheimer’s
disease, memory loss is the first thing
that comes to mind. But although
it’s true that forgetfulness is a major
symptom, there’s much more to this
condition than simply misplacing keys or
forgetting names.
Alzheimer’s affects the brain in many
different ways, and new research
continues to uncover surprising details
about how it starts, how it progresses,
and what might increase or lower your
risk. Understanding these lesser-known
facts can help you spot early warning
signs, support loved ones, and even
make lifestyle changes that may protect
your brain.
Here are six surprising things about
Alzheimer’s that may change the way
you think about this disease:
1. Alzheimer’s doesn’t always start
with memory loss. Early symptoms
can sometimes show up in areas other
than memory. Changes in language,
vision, or decision-making can
appear first. A person might struggle
to find the right words, misjudge
distances, or make choices that seem
out of character. These non-memory
symptoms are often overlooked but can
serve as early warning signs.
2. Sleep plays a bigger role than you
think. Getting good sleep isn’t just
about feeling rested. It helps the brain
clear away harmful proteins that are
linked to Alzheimer’s. Even one night
of poor sleep can increase the levels of
these proteins. Over time, missing out
on deep, restorative sleep may raise the
risk of developing the disease.
3. Misdiagnosis happens more than
you’d expect. Because symptoms
overlap with other conditions like
depression or vitamin deficiencies,
Alzheimer’s is sometimes mistaken for
something else. In fact, research shows
that as many as one in four diagnoses
may be incorrect. Getting a second
opinion from a specialist can help
ensure the right diagnosis and care.
4. Alzheimer’s can strike younger
people. Although it’s much more
common in people over 65, Alzheimer’s
can appear in people as young as their
40s or 50s. This is called early-onset
Alzheimer’s, and while it’s rare, it can
be especially challenging because
symptoms may be dismissed as stress
or other issues.
5. Women are at higher risk than
men. Almost two-thirds of Americans
living with Alzheimer’s are women.
Part of this is because women tend
to live longer, but researchers believe
...story continued on page 7
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