Early warning signs of dementia may include persistent problems with memory, cognition, and the capacity to carry out daily chores. However, it is normal to have occasional difficulty remembering where you put things or finding the correct term after the age of 50.
Dementia’s early warning symptoms can be difficult to spot because they are so faint and hazy. Early signs of dementia vary greatly from person to person and depend on the type of dementia.
What is Dementia?
In reality, dementia is not a disease. It serves as a general term for brain abnormalities that result in loss of cognition and interfere with day-to-day activities. Focus, attention span, linguistic proficiency, problem-solving abilities, and visual perception may all suffer as a result. A person with dementia may find it challenging to control their emotions, and it may even cause personality changes.
Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, affects approximately 6.5 million Americans, but many experts believe the true figure is likely higher. The report predicts that by 2050, there will be approximately 13 million cases of it worldwide. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 55 million individuals worldwide suffer from dementia.
When brain nerve cells quit functioning, signs of dementia may develop. Their capacity for thought, memory, and reasoning may be impacted. Despite the fact that it frequently occurs in older people, it is not a necessary aspect of aging. As humans age, the brain naturally deteriorates, but in dementia patients, this degradation happens more quickly.
Signs Of Dementia To Watch Out For
The odd memory slip we can experience as we age is not the same as the signs of dementia. Even if signs of dementia are subtle, there are several indicators that family and friends can spot.
1) Changes to Mood, Demeanor, or Behavior
Everybody experiences occasional sadness or irritability. Rapid mood swings can occur in people with dementia for no apparent reason. They may become perplexed, wary, or distant. Some people may become less reserved or more outgoing.
2) Having Trouble Navigating
With the onset of dementia, a person’s spatial orientation and sense of direction frequently begin to deteriorate. They might find it challenging to identify once-familiar landmarks and lose track of how to get to areas they used to have no issue finding.
3) Issues with Writing or Speaking
A person suffering from dementia could have trouble conversing. It could be difficult to start a discussion with them since they might miss what they are saying or what someone else has said.
Individuals can also observe a decline in their grammar, punctuation, and spelling. A person’s handwriting might occasionally get more challenging to read.
4) A Propensity for Losing Things
A person suffering from dementia might not be able to recall where they put commonplace items like a phone, wallet, keys, or TV remote control. Being frustrated by lost belongings can cause someone to accuse others of stealing.
5) Difficulty In Remembering
One of the early signs of dementia is frequent, persistent memory loss. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a condition where some people have memory loss and experience difficulties with attention, decision-making, language, or reasoning. Although the disorder results in a perceptible decline, it is less severe than dementia, and a person can still go about their everyday lives as usual.
Typically, two or more of these symptoms must be present in order for a person to be diagnosed, and they must be sufficiently severe to interfere with everyday life.
Prevention of Dementia
While there is no surefire method to stop dementia from occurring, there are things you may need to take to lower your risk. It comprises:
1) Maintaining Activity
Play memory games, word puzzles, and read to keep your mind sharp. According to research published in 2021, those who regularly engage in physical activity may be significantly less likely to get dementia than those who don’t.
3) Consuming A Healthy Diet
A nutritious diet has several advantages, one of which is improved brain function. Try to consume a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and omega-3 fatty acids to reduce your risk of dementia. Consume foods that are excellent sources of vitamin D or take a daily dose of vitamin D.
Dementia is not a single illness. Instead, it covers a wide range of ailments that impact the brain. The cognitive decline brought on by these disorders has an impact on a person’s memory, ability to communicate, thought processes, and conduct. See a doctor if you or somebody you know is showing a number of signs of dementia that aren’t getting better or are getting worse.
You’ll most likely be referred to a neurologist by your physician or another healthcare provider. A neurologist can assess the mental and physical well-being of you or a loved one and determine whether signs of dementia or another cognitive problem are to blame.
Janvi Kapur is a counselor with a Master’s degree in applied psychology with a specialization in clinical psychology.
What do you think of this story? Tell us in the comments section below.
