Dementia: Knowing Its Early Symptoms May Help Start Treatment In Advance

[LoShiNi]

Dementia is a term used to describe the decline of mental function and is a characteristic of various conditions, most commonly Alzheimer’s disease. There exist many myths around this illness. For example, it would be a mistake to assume that only old people suffer from dementia. Depending on the cause, younger people can develop it too


If you notice the symptoms described below in yourself or your loved one schedule an appointment with your doctor. Having some of these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean dementia, but it’s better to be safe than sorry, right?


1. Memory problems

Difficulties in recalling or memorizing things are a common early sign of dementia. It manifests in forgetting what you’ve done over the course of the day, forgetting your plans, not being able to recall names, faces, and days, struggling to recall where you’ve put certain items, etc.


2. Struggling to find the right words

People with dementia find it hard to formulate their thoughts and recall how things are named.


3. Mood and personality changes

Someone with dementia may display symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, and paranoia.


4. Lack of interest in activities and communicating with others

Social withdrawal, aloofness, and being uninterested in hobbies and other activities one used to enjoy may all be early signs of dementia.


5. Trouble performing usual daily tasks

Signs include difficulties in doing simple work assignments, troubles in memorizing or recalling the rules of a game, and struggling in following a recipe step by step while cooking among other things.


6. Trouble following a storyline

It’s hard for someone with dementia to follow the sequence of events and understand how they are connected. This makes it difficult to participate in a conversation or comprehend a plot of a book or movie.


7. Disorientation

It usually manifests in getting lost in places that used to be familiar, not being able to recognize one’s current location, and troubles in following directions or instructions.


8. Repetitiveness

Signs include repeating certain actions and phrases and asking for the same information over and over again.