Dementia is usually perceived as a single condition. However, this is not true. Dementia is an umbrella term that can be used for a group of conditions that affect one’s ability to process information, recollect it, and speak. According to WHO, more than 55 million people worldwide have been affected by dementia. Furthermore, approximately 10 million cases are diagnosed each year. Keep reading to know about some common early signs and causes of dementia.
9 common early signs of dementia
In most cases, the symptoms of dementia can vary according to the underlying issue. Therefore here are some common signs to look out for.
Subtle changes in short-term memory
A common early symptom noticed across dementia patients is memory loss. However, these sudden changes may usually involve short-term memory. For instance, an individual may not be able to recollect recently processed information such as their breakfast meal.
Difficulties in continuing familiar activities
Subtle shifts in the ability to continue once-familiar activities have often been associated with dementia. Here, one can experience issues completing goal-oriented tasks such as playing games, following recipes, and paying bills on time.
Disorientation related to place or time
One of the symptoms that have been associated with the onset of dementia includes a failing sense of direction and time. This means people with dementia can have issues recognizing once-frequented landmarks and getting to these places. Further, dementia patients may notice difficulties in judging the passage of time, causing issues in understanding events and their associated dates.
Visual information-related challenges
Most people with dementia have difficulties with judgment. This can cause problems in processing visual information, such as distance, colors, and language. So, if an individual is used to biking in their neighborhood, they may not be able to continue the activity without getting lost.
Mood and personality changes
Another common symptom of dementia is changes in mood and personality. For example, dementia patients may feel extremely anxious or upset if there are changes in their daily routines. Besides this, one can notice subtle shifts in personality. Especially in shy people who become social after the onset of dementia.
Misplacing important objects and overall confusion
As dementia causes one to experience issues with recollection, one may not remember where they left their everyday objects such as keys, wallets, phones, etc. While this symptom can seem harmless at first, it can lead to frustration and misunderstandings. Individuals may also feel confused by various stimuli in general.
Speaking and writing issues
As mentioned above, dementia patients can have difficulties engaging in conversations. This is because they are prone to losing track of the conversation and not remembering recently processed information. Additionally, these issues can also be noticed in the form of worsening spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Repetition
Due to certain behavioral changes and memory loss, most dementia patients can repeat certain activities, words, and phrases. For instance, the patient may repeat certain questions or retell a story again and again.
Struggle with adaptation
In the early stages of dementia, it’s extremely common for patients to undergo fear and anxiety when they can’t remember certain people and objects. However, due to this constant struggle with adaptation, one may crave routine instead of opting for new experiences.
In addition to the nine early symptoms of dementia, one must also be wary of its causes. In most cases, dementia occurs due to damage to the brain cells due to multiple factors; here are some of the risk factors associated with the issue.
Genetics/family history
Age
Diabetes
Atherosclerosis – a buildup of fatty substances in the artery
Cognitive impairments
Depression
Heart issues
If one is at risk of developing dementia or has a family history of the condition, one can try the self-assessment test for dementia at home. This Self-Administered Gerocognitive Exam (SAGE) detects early signs of dementia by evaluating one’s thinking abilities.