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10 Unexpected Early Warning Symptoms of Dementia

  • Posted by Helena Hedson March 27, 2023 Filed in Arts & Culture #dementia care facilities  71 views
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    Dementia’s early warning symptoms are sometimes difficult to spot because of their complex nature. The earliest signs of dementia also differ greatly from person to person and are

    dependent on the specific form of the disease.

    Dementia-like symptoms can be driven on by regular aging as well as by conditions including stroke, depression, and infections. It’s crucial to rule out the possibility that any alterations are the result of dementia. If you or a loved one are worried that you or they may be suffering from dementia, it is crucial that you schedule an appointment with a doctor. It is possible to diagnose and treat the symptoms if they are brought on by a condition that is curable. If dementia is to blame for the symptoms, then getting a diagnosis as soon as possible will provide more time to prepare and more options in terms of treatment and care.

    What are dementia types?

    • Alzheimer’s disease. The majority of cases of dementia are caused by Alzheimer’s disease. Although some people have a faster deterioration, symptoms often worsen

    over time. 

    • Vascular dementia. When the brain does not receive enough oxygen, vascular dementia develops. Constricted blood arteries are one potential cause, although a stroke is also a factor. 

    • Dementia with Lewy bodies. Lewy body dementia is brought on by the abnormal accumulation of alpha-synuclein, a type of protein. In addition to cognitive difficulties,

    you may experience physical manifestations including tremors and muscle stiffness.

    • Injury or stroke-related brain damage. Brain damage occurs when oxygen stops flowing to the brain, as can happen after a stroke or after an injury.

    • Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). It is a result of continuous blows to the head. Dementia, memory loss, irritability, paranoia, and violence are all possible side effects.

    • Dementia of the frontal and temporal areas. Depending on which parts of the brain are affected, frontotemporal dementia can have varying effects on a person’s behavior and language skills. Experts haven’t pinpointed a definitive cause, but they do know it has a hereditary component. Moreover, Pick bodies, which are abnormal protein structures, have been implicated by certain researchers.

    • Huntington’s disease. Huntington’s disease is a degenerative, genetic disorder that mostly affects the regions of the brain that regulate movement. According to the

    National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the average age of onset is 30-50. 

    • Argyrophilic grain disease. Mild cognitive impairment is one of the symptoms of argyrophilic grain disease, a late-onset neurodegenerative disorder that affects primarily

    the elderly.

    • Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is an uncommon, fatal neurological disorder characterized by rapid mental decline. This disease, which is

    transmitted through prions, is incurable at this time.

     

    Early-stage signs of dementia

     

    1. Confused memory

    The most prevalent early indication of dementia is a deterioration in memory, typically short memory (the ability to remember recent events). Ordinary amnesia does not prevent people from recalling other information related to the lost topic. They may temporarily forget the name of their next-door neighbor but not the fact that they are conversing with that individual. Dementia can cause a person to forget more than just faces and names. Events from the distant the past may be more likely to remain etched in one’s memory than those from the recent past.

    2. Problems doing routine activities

    The Alzheimer’s Society warns that while everyone makes an error occasionally, those with dementia may have a particularly difficult time with tasks like budgeting and following recipes. They may also have problems focusing, which could cause them to take longer to complete chores or even abandon them altogether.

    3. Problems with language

    Many people have difficulty identifying the correct words sometimes. On the other hand, a person with dementia may have trouble carrying on a conversation or even starting one.

    4. Difficulty in problem-solving and planning

    Dementia patients may have trouble sticking to routines. In the kitchen, they can have trouble following instructions, and on the road, they might have trouble keeping up with signs.

    Bill-paying arithmetic is only one example of a problem that could become more complicated as you gain experience.

    5. Loss of chronological and spatial bearings

    According to some of the best doctors the occasional inability to determine the date or the the destination is very normal. Dementia can cause a person to become confused about the passage of time and the acceptable behavior at various times of the day.

    6. Impaired judgment

    Dementia patients may overdress for warm weather or underdress for cold weather.

    7. Emotional or behavioral shifts

    At times, we can all feel down or irritable. Mood swings and irritation that seem to have no rationale may emerge in a person with dementia.

    8. Lack of concentration

    Dementia is characterized by a decline in memory. Dementia can make it difficult for a person to retain new information, so they may need to rely on memory aides like friends and relatives.

    9. Losing stuff

    Anyone can lose their keys or wallet. An individual with dementia may persistently misplace items.

    10. Lacking initiative

    Tiredness from work, school, or social obligations is common. Dementia can cause a person to lose initiative and interest in formerly pleasurable activities.

    Conclusion

    Consulting to the best psychologist is the next step if you are concerned about any of these symptoms. By catching it early, you can investigate remedies that could lessen your discomfort

    and prolong your capacity to care for yourself.

    FAQs

    1. What helps people live with dementia?

    An individual’s ability to control out-of-character actions may improve if they maintain active social relationships, engage in regular physical activity, and either keep up with their current interests or discover new ones.

    2. At what age do most people begin showing symptoms of dementia?

    Most patients with Alzheimer’s disease, the late-onset type, don't start showing symptoms until they’re in their 60s. Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease occurs when symptoms of the disease appear before the age of 65 and can manifest as early as a person’s thirties.

    3. Do people with dementia know they have it?

    Dementia patients may have trouble remembering things, have trouble concentrating, and struggle to carry out even the simplest of duties. In the first stages of dementia, they might

    recognize their symptoms. In the latter stages of dementia, however, this awareness may be lost.