Early signs of dementia including one which shows when you're in bed
Experts are stressing the importance of recognising early signs of dementia, which can enable families and healthcare providers to intervene early, potentially delaying the onset of severe symptoms and improving quality of life for those affected.
The Alzheimer's Society in the UK has emphasised: "There is currently no cure for dementia, but recognising the early signs and symptoms is still very important. With clinical trials now showing positive results, an early and accurate diagnosis will be important to find those that are eligible for disease modifying treatments when they are available."
They also added: "It's important to also remember there are lots of ways we can support people to live well with dementia, even in the absence of drugs to slow the progression."
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According to The New York Times, there are five symptoms that often manifest early on but may be missed.
Memory loss is frequently associated with dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease, and while it is a critical indicator, it's not the sole symptom to be vigilant about. Other key signs that could lead to an early diagnosis are often overlooked despite their significance.
While many of these symptoms can be attributed to isolated incidents or other causes, they should not be dismissed. If they persist over time or if several appear simultaneously, it's crucial to seek medical advice.
Five signs of potential dementia that shouldn't be overlooked:.
1. Changes in personality.
A study led by Angelina Sutin, a behavioural sciences professor at Florida State University, discovered that individuals with dementia often exhibit changes in personality before cognitive decline becomes apparent. Decreases in extroversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness were noted, with these changes accelerating as the disease progresses.
These shifts can be observed in day-to-day behaviour. For instance, diminished extroversion might present as social withdrawal or a dwindling social circle. According to Sutin, these signs are easier to spot than memory loss.
2. Struggling with driving
Struggles with driving can be one of the earliest indicators of cognitive decline, potentially appearing years before other symptoms, says Ganesh Babulal, a neurology professor at Washington University in St. Louis.
Driving involves multiple cognitive systems, and any impairment can heighten the risk of accidents. While age-related physical issues, such as deteriorating vision or side effects from medication, can also contribute, it's important to stay alert to these changes.
3. Loss of smell
Loss of smell is one of the initial indicators of neurodegeneration in diseases such as Alzheimer's, dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's. The olfactory system, responsible for this sense, often suffers damage years or even decades before other symptoms manifest. Unlike hearing or vision loss, which are risk factors for dementia but not caused by it, loss of smell is an early sign of these diseases.
Each disease impacts the sense of smell differently: in Alzheimer's, smells are detected but confused, while in Parkinson's and dementia with Lewy bodies they are not perceived, which could be crucial for early detection.
4. Difficulty sleeping well
Sleep disturbances are common in old age, but drastic changes, such as waking up at 3am, or not being able to stay awake during the day, may be signs of dementia. Regions of the brain that regulate sleep, such as the brainstem, are among the first to be affected in Alzheimer's, causing disturbances years before memory problems.
In dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's, a REM sleep behaviour disorder may arise, where the person acts out their dreams with movements or screams, due to damage to the brain cells that control paralysis during that phase.
This is not simple sleepwalking, according to neurologist Ronald Postuma, as patients often seek help after being alerted by a partner to violent or unusual behaviour in their sleep. These patterns may be early signs of neurodegenerative diseases.
5. Financial difficulties
Financial troubles are a common occurrence and can stem from various causes. However, when they coincide with other cognitive or behavioural changes, they could be an early indication of dementia.
It's not that these issues directly cause the disease, but their sudden or unusual onset, such as forgetting to pay bills, making impulsive purchases or trusting unreliable individuals, may suggest disturbances in judgement and brain function. This is particularly true in cases like frontotemporal dementia, where judgement is impaired early on.
Neurologist Winston Chiong explains that financial management involves multiple brain regions, making it one of the first areas where cognitive problems become apparent.
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