From losing things to being confused, dementia isn't just about memory loss.
Being able to quickly spot warning signs can buy you valuable time to intervene before it's too late. Here are 5 “early” signs that should not be ignored.
There are five warning signs that can become wake-up calls.
Problems in planning or problem solving
Whether you're trying to follow a family recipe or keep track of monthly bills, some dementia patients find it hard to follow a plan or work with numbers.
Dementia: an early sign that can show up in familiar tasks – shouldn't be ignored
“Alzheimer's disease can also cause trouble concentrating, which can mean you need to spend much more time doing things you normally do. One typical sign in this category is 'occasional errors' when managing finances or household bills,” says neurologist Alexandra Alekhina, exclusively for MedicForum.
Difficulty doing familiar tasks
Like struggling to follow a family recipe, things you've done hundreds of times can suddenly become alien. People with Alzheimer's often struggle with simple daily tasks, from traveling to a familiar place to recording their favorite TV show.
Symptoms of Dementia: 6 Early Signs You Shouldn't Ignore
Confusion with Time or Place
When you're on vacation or taking a break from work, it's easy to forget what day it is and let the time pass unnoticed.
“However, people with Alzheimer's lose track not only of the dates, but also of the seasons. Patients may even forget where they are and how they got here.”
Problems with words orally or writing
If you keep finding that you can't subscribe to or join a conversation, this can be a red flag.
“Sometimes patients stop in the middle of a conversation and don't know how to continue, or they may repeat what they've already said” .
In addition, they may have problems with vocabulary, trouble naming a familiar item, or starting to use the wrong names.
Losing things
Always looking for your phone and keys? Putting things in unusual places or losing items is another “early” sign of Alzheimer's disease. To make matters worse, patients often find that they cannot repeat their steps to find the inappropriate items again.
MedicalForum has previously written about spices for liver health.
p class=”warning_txt”>Important! Information provided for reference purposes. Ask a specialist about contraindications and side effects and under no circumstances self-medicate. At the first sign of illness, consult a doctor.