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According to a neurologist, memory loss is not the only early warning sign of dementia.
While there is no cure in sight, the best weapon in the fight against dementia is early detection. Early diagnosis opens the door to future care and treatment by making symptom awareness a priority.
Although memory problems are often the first cause of concern, a neurologist and dementia expert says the early signs are often more subtle.
Not only are there several different types of dementia, but the symptoms can vary from person to person, which can make them difficult to detect. Some alarming signs are often underestimated and not recognized as symptoms of dementia.
Fortunately, an expert shared some of the lesser-known symptoms that "can be the hardest to spot."
The doctor recommended paying attention to the following alarming signs of dementia:
- Sensory problems (depth perception and spatial awareness)
- Sensitivity to noise
- Changes in taste and smell
- Vision problems.
He explained that a patient with a mental disorder may experience sensory problems with distance and space.
Alyokhina said that your ability to judge the distance between two objects, or your awareness of objects in space and the position of your body in relation to them, can be distorted.
In addition, the sudden loss of vision that can be caused by Alzheimer's disease can also be a red flag.
In the early stages of the disease, some may find it difficult to read small text and skip lines when reading.
“Decreased gaze is a clinical term for a symptom of dementia that changes people's ability to move their eyes normally. This can be noticed by others as it can mean that the person looks as if they are being looked at, but the person living with dementia is not aware of it.'
All these symptoms can appear in the early stages of brain disease.
However, they are not as "easy" to spot as symptoms such as memory loss and confusion, she added.
Therefore, the expert recommended making an appointment with a doctor if you or a member of your family suffers from the above symptoms.
Prevention of dementia
Promising research shows that there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, or to slow the progression if you're already diagnosed.
7 pillars of a brain-healthy lifestyle that are under your control:
- Regular exercises
- Social activity
- A healthy diet
- Mental stimulation
- Quality sleep
- Stress management
- Vascular health.
