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Seven Early Symptoms Of Dementia To Spot That Are Not Just A Sign Of 'getting Older'
Dementia is a severe condition that can have a devastating impact on both the individual affected and their family. It's a syndrome associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning, which can lead to memory loss, behavioural changes, and even problems with movement.
Early detection of dementia symptoms and seeking help promptly can significantly improve the support options available for the patient - but this can sometimes be hindered by the fact they could be mistaken for typical signs of getting older.
However, a survey by the Alzheimer's Society revealed that only one in three people report experiencing dementia symptoms, either in themselves or a loved one, to their doctors within the first month.
The survey, which polled 1,100 individuals, found that many people remained silent because they were unsure whether the symptoms they noticed were indicative of dementia or just normal ageing.
"One in three people (33 percent) who notice symptoms of dementia in themselves or a loved one keep their fears to themselves for over a month," the charity stated.
The survey also found that only 15 percent of people addressed the issue immediately, while 11 percent admitted they had not yet voiced their concerns despite noticing the first symptom.
This delay in reporting symptoms impacts the speed at which individuals can receive help, with 23 percent waiting more than six months before speaking to a medical professional.
Early signs of dementia such as trouble following conversations, issues with concentration, and memory lapses can often be mistaken for typical signs of getting older, like hearing loss or simple forgetfulness.
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This confusion is compounded by the fact that, according to a recent survey, 16 percent of individuals admitted they were deliberately "avoiding" seeking a diagnosis due to fears about the impact on their personal relationships.
With this in mind, seven possible early symptoms of dementia include:
Moreover, the survey revealed that 44 percent were concerned they would be patronised by their caregivers or family, who might start to "talk down" to them.
Alzheimer's Society CEO Kate Lee urged confronting the issue directly: "We can't continue to avoid the 'd' word – we need to face dementia head on."
She advised anyone noticing signs that something isn't right to use their symptoms checklist and discuss it with their GP.
"As soon as you realise something is not right, come to Alzheimer's Society - you can use our symptoms checklist to help have that all-important first chat with your GP," she said.
According to the charity, signs of Alzheimer's and dementia can be:
Whereas some typical age-related changes include:
'Sundowning' Could Be Warning Sign You Have Early Dementia
As the days get shorter, a curious condition may become more apparent for some people, indicating they may be in the early stages of dementia.
What is sundowning?'Sundowning' is a condition which presents symptoms during sunset only, and it could be linked to early signs of dementia.
Sundown syndrome is currently an under-researched condition, recognised by health professionals due to its familiar symptoms.
The condition is unique, as patients are only thought to experience the symptoms for a few hours of the day, notably when the sun is going down.
Although people aren't exactly sure of the root cause, some researchers think it could be to do with a disturbance in the body's natural clock.
This is called the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), and it's responsible for receiving information from the eyes about the light levels in the environment.
The SCN responds by instructing the release of different hormones, known as circadian rhythms.
Sundowning is an under-researched condition. (Getty stock images)However, diseases like dementia are thought to damage the brain cells in the SCN, stopping it from responding appropriately to changing light levels.
What are the symptoms of sundowning?This causes symptoms such as confusion, agitation, walking without purpose, disorientation, hallucinations, and aggression - in the few hours where sunlight levels drop.
If the SCN isn't working properly due to the disease, it can cause real confusion for patients.
It's important to note that this hasn't been scientifically proven, and that most of the research is based of anecdotal experiences with dementia sufferers.
Anecdotal reports suggest that fatigue, darkness, room changes, and physical illness could all trigger sundowning.
How to deal with sundowningHowever, health organisations such as Mayo Clinic in the US, and Healthline have provided some tips that could help anyone experiencing the condition.
They suggest adjusting light level accordingly to the time of day, can avoid any sudden changes in brightness.
For example, turning on a bright light during sundown would swerve any changes in the environment at all.
If someone particularly suffers with sleep, it is advisable to keep them as active as possible during the day, avoiding naps, to ensure they get a full night's sleep.
This reduces fatigue and can limit the occurrence of sundowning.
Keeping an environment and routine as familiar as possible is also good practice, as any drastic changes could lead to worsening symptoms.
Waking up and going to bed at the same time is preferable, as well as seeing familiar or the same people regularly.
Monitoring behaviour has been advised, particularly around the time of sunset.
This is helpful to pick up on triggers, which caregivers can then make small adjustments in accordance.
Early Sign Of Dementia Could Appear When Shopping - What To Look For
An early warning sign of dementia could include getting confused when paying in the shop (Image: Getty)
An expert has warned that a common early warning sign of dementia could be spotted while shopping. Dementia is a syndrome, or a group of symptoms associated with the progressive decline of brain function.
More common in people over the age of 65, some of the well-known signs include memory loss and behavioural changes. As with any medical condition, the sooner it is identified, the sooner the person can get the help they need.
However, it is important to be aware of the various symptoms linked to dementia, as they can present in any situation. Emma Hewat, head of dementia at the KYN care home in London, revealed that getting "confused" over the correct change while shopping as a sign to look out for.
Dementia could also make familiar daily tasks more difficult, the NHS says (Image:
Getty)Speaking to Express.Co.Uk, she explained: "Obvious symptoms of dementia can include memory loss and difficulty concentrating, getting confused over the correct change when shopping, struggling to follow a conversation or finding the right words to say. Other common symptoms include finding it hard to carry out familiar daily tasks, being confused about time and place and, often, mood changes."
This is also a symptom listed by the NHS. The health body says people living with dementia might be "finding it hard to carry out familiar daily tasks, such as getting confused over the correct change when shopping".
But it's important to remember that "different types of dementia can affect people differently, and everyone will experience symptoms in their own way", according to the NHS. Other early warning signs listed by the NHS are:
Image:
Getty)"These symptoms are often mild and may get worse only very gradually," the NHS says. "It's often termed 'mild cognitive impairment' (MCI) as the symptoms are not severe enough to be diagnosed as dementia.
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"You might not notice these symptoms if you have them, and family and friends may not notice or take them seriously for some time. In some people, these symptoms will remain the same and not worsen. But some people with MCI will go on to develop dementia.
"Dementia is not a natural part of ageing. This is why it's important to talk to a GP sooner rather than later if you're worried about memory problems or other symptoms."
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