Dementia Warning Signs You May Not Even Know

Find out why it's simple to overlook dementia's early warning symptoms.The World Health Organization estimates that about 55 million people are affected by dementia, which causes changes in cognitive processes like memory and thought. The disorder can substantially disrupt a person's life and seriously interfere with daily activities to the point where they require care. Understanding the symptoms of dementia is essential for spotting the condition early and acting immediately to prevent more damage in an effort to slow down its course. However, it's simple to ignore the signs and follow the Eat This, Not That! Experts who discuss dementia and the warning indications that you could have it were interviewed by Health.

1 It's Easy to Miss the Signs of Dementia

According to Conviva Care Centers' Vanessa P. Lewis, MD "Due to the widespread notion that memory loss and a decline in cognitive function are inevitable parts of aging, it might be simple to ignore the early warning symptoms of mild dementia. Although alterations in dementia are more severe, normal aging can impact brain speed and attention."

2 What to Know About Dementia

As per Dr. Lewis, "Major neurocognitive disorders, such as dementia, are not an inevitable byproduct of aging. Dementia comes in a variety of forms; not all dementias are caused by Alzheimer's disease. It is crucial to visit your primary care physician for a brief screening test if you have any concerns about your mental health."

3 How to Tell Normal Aging from Dementia

Dementia is significantly different from normal, age-related memory problems, according to Verna Porter, MD, a neurologist and the director of the Dementia, Alzheimer's Disease and Neurocognitive Disorders program at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California. The primary distinction between dementia (such as Alzheimer's disease) and age-related memory loss is that normal aging does not cause forgetfulness that prevents you from going about your everyday activities.In other words, your daily life and your capacity to carry out the customary tasks, chores, and routines that make up our daily lives are not significantly affected by the memory lapses. As opposed to this, dementia is characterized by a considerable decline in two or more intellectual capacities, such as memory, language, judgment, or abstract reasoning, that is marked, persistent, and severely impairs your ability to go about your daily activities. Functionally, mild AD patients will need help with duties like managing finances, traveling, organizing events, etc. In the early stages of the illness, performance of these essential everyday activities is most adversely impacted.Driving may also be affected, hence it is crucial to formally assess driving capacity early on because visuospatial/visuoperceptual deficits and issues with response time may appear quite early in the disease. Moderate memory loss affects daily tasks and is particularly noticeable for recent experiences. People have a good amount of trouble figuring out difficulties, they can't participate in community affairs on their own, and they find it difficult to do some simple daily tasks and activities they enjoy.

4 How to Help Prevent or Slow Down the Symptoms of Dementia

As stated by Dr. Lewis "Like heart disease, dementia can be prevented via lifestyle changes. Make sure you are following a heart-healthy diet (low fat), getting enough exercise (150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week), quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and having conditions like type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure that are under good control. There is evidence that a healthy diet, regular exercise, and social and mental stimulation can help avoid dementia."

5 Talk With Your Physician

In order to determine whether you or a loved one needs further assessment for dementia, your primary care physician can do a fast screening test that takes only five minutes, advises Dr. Lewis.

6 Getting Lost in Familiar Places

Doctor Lewis says, "For instance, your loved one might regularly take a morning stroll, but lately they've been having trouble figuring out how to get home. This is simple to overlook as we frequently write off memory loss as a natural part of getting older."

7 Repetitive Questioning

"Repeatedly asking the same question in short periods of time," can indicate dementia, Dr. Lewis says.

8 Personality Changes

explains Dr. Lewis, "Perhaps your loved one used to enjoy going out and socializing, but now they prefer to spend most of their time at home. Again, occasionally, we might assume that a loved one is unhappy or depressed. That may be the case, but it is still crucial to recognize dementia."