Little-known early Alzheimer's symptom that can be spotted while talking to a loved one
Today is World Alzheimer's Day, which aims to raise awareness and support for people and families affected by the disease. Alzheimer's disease is one of the most common forms of dementia, which is the biggest killer in the UK. The word dementia is used to describe a number of symptoms, including memory loss, confusion and communication difficulties.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, and happens when brain cells are damaged, causing symptoms to get worse. In the UK there are almost one million people living with dementia, and it's estimated that this number will increase to over 1.7 million by 2024, according to Alzheimer's Research UK. Despite there being no known cure for dementia at the present time, early diagnosis is imperative as it can significantly improve quality of life through medication, treatment and professional care.
Therefore, it's crucial to be vigilant not only for the most common symptoms but also for those that are less apparent. In a recent TikTok video, @thinkwelllabs, who regularly share videos about brain health, shared "three early warning signs of Alzheimer's". These three symptoms can be spotted when you're talking to loved ones, especially if you see them regularly.
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If you notice a change in their behaviour, it's important to speak to a GP. The online content creator shared: "Forgetting recently learned information, to the point where it disrupts regular life." Another sign to look out for is "struggling with routine tasks like managing a budget", and lastly "losing track of dates and seasons".
Each person experiences dementia in their own way, and different types of it affect people differently, especially early on. According to the NHS, the main symptom of Alzheimer's disease is memory lapses. Things to look out for include forgetting about conversations or events, misplacing items, forgetting names of places and objects, or having trouble thinking of the right word.
You might also notice mood changes, such as increasing anxiety or agitation, or periods of confusion. Symptoms might start to get worse as the condition develops, and it might start to get difficult for them to recognise family and friends. Other symptoms include increasing confusion and disorientation, obsessive, repetitive or impulsive behaviour, delusions, problems with speech or language and disturbed sleep. If you're worried about symptoms in yourself or a loved one, it's important to speak to a GP.
If you have questions about dementia, dementia research or want to get involved, you can contact Alzheimer's Research UK's Dementia Research Infoline on 0300 111 5 111 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday, or email infoline@alzheimersresearchuk.org.