Early Signs And Symptoms Of Dementia

Dementia is not a single disease but it is a term that defines a group of symptoms that impact the memory, social abilities, and thinking. It has emerged more common in older people. It is significant to recognise the early signs and symptoms of dementia as it can help with better management and planning of care. One of the earliest and most common signs of dementia is loss of memory which involves forgetting the recently learned information.

The person may ask the questions in a repeated manner, misplace things often, and depend extensively on reminders and family members for things that he previously handled independently. Occasional forgetfulness is not a worrying sign but regular memory issues that begin to disrupt daily activities can be concerning. There are three types of dementia namely primary, secondary, and reversible.

According to National Health Service, “Dementia is not a disease itself. It's a collection of symptoms that result from damage to the brain caused by different diseases, such as Alzheimer's. These symptoms vary according to the part of the brain that is damaged.”

Key Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of dementia may vary on the basis of types of area of the brain that received maximum damage.  

1. Cognitive Symptoms: These are changes to the thinking and understanding. Symptoms will include facing trouble sharing thoughts, forgetting names, past events or things just learned, trouble following directions, and difficulty with reading, writing, and comprehending words, according to a report featured in Cleveland Clinic.

2. Behavioural & Psychological Symptoms: It involves changes in how you feel or relate to others. These symptoms may impact the mood, interests, and personality. The symptoms will include feeling restless or upset, getting nervous or tensed, losing interest or feeling sad, lacking knowledge of where you are and what time it is, feeling frustrated by tasks that used to simple, hallucinations, paranoia, and sleep issues.   

Stages Of Dementia

There are mainly three stages of dementia. Symptoms start getting worse as stages progress.

1. Early Stage Dementia: It is mild stage of dementia that will start affecting your daily life but not in a severe manner. You may observe some memory or thinking issues but can still perform maximum self-care works at home that include bathing, dressing, and preparing meals.

2. Middle Stage Dementia: This is moderate stage of dementia wherein thinking and everyday tasks will become difficult. You may require frequent reminders to complete tasks.

3. Last Stage Dementia: This is the severe stage of dementia where you may need full time care. Most of the thinking skills will be lost in this stage and you may require support with basic activities like eating meals, bathing, and getting dressed.  

Foods That Can Reduce Dementia Risks

If you are keen to reduce dementia risks, it is imperative to include leafy green vegetables, berries, fatty fish, nuts, and olive oil to your lifestyle. These foods should become an integral part of your balanced diet. These foods contain antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential nutrients that can bring down inflammation and protect brain cells.  

The essential brain boosting foods include green leafy vegetables, berries, fatty fish, nuts, seeds, olive oil, whole grains, beans & legumes, and spices like cinnamon.

According to a report published in National Institute of Aging, “it’s possible that eating a certain diet affects biological mechanisms, such as oxidative stress and inflammation, that underlie Alzheimer’s. Eating a certain diet might increase specific nutrients that may protect the brain through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It may inhibit beta-amyloid deposits, which are found in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s, or improve cellular metabolism in ways that protect against the disease.”

Disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions about your health or treatment options.