“Early Signs of Dementia: Recognizing Symptoms Beyond Forgetfulness – Tips for Prevention and Treatment”

2023-05-19 08:02:46

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Created: 05/19/2023 10:02 am

Von: Natalie Hull Drawbar

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A sign of budding dementia is by far not just forgetfulness. There are a number of symptoms that sufferers and loved ones may not associate with dementia.

1 / 11Even years before, disturbed sleep with intense dreams can indicate later dementia. According to the results of a Canadian study, the so-called REM sleep behavior disorder should be a warning sign of brain diseases that appear about 15 years later. People who have violent dreams and kick or punch themselves are said to have an 80 to 100 percent higher risk of developing a neurodegenerative disease such as dementia or Parkinson’s. © Monkeybusiness/IMAGO

2 / 11Perceptual disturbances up to and including hallucinations are also possible early symptoms of dementia, particularly in Lewy body dementia. Many of those affected find it difficult to recognize images, colours, contrasts and to grasp spatial dimensions. This can also affect the recognition of familiar faces. For example, those affected suddenly see their own mother in a stranger. According to the medical journal, studies with Alzheimer’s patients show that around a third of those affected develop delusions and around a sixth develop pronounced hallucinations. © weedezign/Imago

3 / 11Forgetfulness and inattentiveness are among the typical symptoms that those affected and their families notice when dementia begins. Suddenly those affected can no longer remember important appointments and have to organize their everyday life with the help of mnemonic devices and reminder notes. They miss turning off the stove, leave the key in the front door after unlocking it, misplace objects – also because they suddenly put them away in unusual, outlandish places. In addition, those affected show difficulties in assigning names to familiar faces. Normal cognitive changes differ from the forgetfulness associated with budding dementia in that names or appointments are forgotten for a short time but are often remembered later, according to the Alzheimer Research Initiative e. V.” © Ute Grabowsky/photothek.net/Imago

4 / 11Dementia is characterized by increasing confusion, which is reflected in impaired judgment. Clothing is no longer chosen according to the weather. Those affected suddenly want to wear winter boots or a hat on warm days, for example, as described by the “Neurologists and Psychiatrists on the Internet” portal. ©Panthermedia/Imago

5 / 11Depression and dementia influence each other. Those suffering from depression have a six-fold increased risk of developing dementia. Conversely, people with dementia are up to 50 percent more likely to be affected by depressive phases, accompanied by sleep disorders and a loss of appetite. © imagebroker/theissen/Imago

6 / 11Personality changes with irritable mood and aggressive behavior can also herald the onset of dementia: previously gentle people suddenly show strong mood swings for no apparent reason, react exaggeratedly, short-tempered, hostilely, even towards people they know. It is usually the relatives who notice the changes in personality and who suspect dementia. © marcus/Imago

7 / 11Similar to Parkinson’s disease, developing dementia can lead to a loss of the sense of smell and, linked to this, a reduced sense of taste. A sudden loss of smell in older people may be a sign of dementia in the future, a study at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, led by Dr. Rosebud Roberts could prove. © imageBROKER/Manuel Kamuf/Imago

8 / 11People who develop dementia find it increasingly difficult to follow a conversation and actively participate in a conversation, as the “Alzheimer Forschung Initiative e. V.” describes. Affected people often lose the thread of their thoughts in conversation, repeat sentences, show difficulty finding words and use inappropriate filler words. © edbockstock/Imago

9 / 11People suffering from dementia often suffer from insomnia and disorders of the sleep-wake cycle. The “internal clock” is affected by the dying nerve cells in the brain. Those affected often cannot fall asleep in the evening, are very restless at night, and sometimes wander around. © Monkeybusiness/Imago

10 / 11People suffering from dementia find it more difficult to find their way in new and familiar places and develop spatial and temporal orientation problems. Places or time intervals can no longer be classified. For example, those affected forget the year and season, can no longer read the time, and no longer know how to get home. © Westend61/Imago

11 / 11People who develop dementia show increasing cognitive difficulties. The “Alzheimer Research Initiative e. V.” summarizes that Demente finds it difficult to perform more complex tasks such as calculating change, filling out forms and reading prescriptions. Affected people often notice themselves that they are less able to concentrate and need more time than before for many things. © Joseffson/Imago

The older a person gets, the greater their risk of developing dementia – aging plays a crucial role in the development of the disease. But not only age and a genetic disposition have an influence, living conditions and certain risk factors can also contribute significantly to dementia and Alzheimer’s. There are various signs that could indicate possible dementia and that those affected and their relatives should know and observe. This includes symptoms not initially associated with dementia, such as loss of smell, according to Study, or a depression. Certain tests are used for early detection, such as the mini mental status test and the clock test, which are used in diagnostics.

Dementia: which risk factors are there in addition to genetic causes

In addition to genetic and other unknown and unavoidable causes, there are also modifiable risk factors that can promote dementia. Avoiding all damaging factors could reduce risk by up to 40 percent and help slow cognitive decline, according to a study by the International Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention ad Care Study confirmed. The modifiable risk factors include:

• Untreated hearing loss
• Smoking
• Depression
• Social isolation
• brain injuries
• high blood pressure
• Diabetes
• alcohol consumption
• obesity
• lack of exercise
• air pollution
• Little education at a young age

Doctors advise avoiding bumps and falls of the head as much as possible. Even minor damage can put a strain on the brain. memory training, coping with stress and enough sleep – as is also crucial in the case of fatty liver – can also have a protective effect. It has been shown that high blood pressure is an important cause of many dementia diseases. Exercise helps lower high blood pressure and promotes healthy brain activity.

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This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.

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