How to spot early signs of dementia?

Your loved ones don’t remember events and daily tasks. he/she might have trouble doing daily tasks. Dementia or Alzheimer’s might be the cause. But forgetting things is not the only symptom. There are other things you should know. Spotting the early signs helps the patients and family to control the effects of dementia.

The article provides necessary information about the early signs of dementia, different types, and the benefits of knowing about it.

Why knowing the early diagnosis of dementia is important?

Early signs of dementia are often unclear, and they differ greatly from one patient to the next. One of the most common symptoms is having trouble recalling recent events.

As a result, early diagnosis and accessibility to vital medical services can assist people in regaining control of their health. It can help identify other medical conditions with dementia-like symptoms, in addition to providing early alternative treatments.

Knowing how to identify the early signs of dementia can help you plan ahead. It allows you to research the various medical treatments that are available and access relevant resources and support from physicians and specialists.

People who have dementia can take control of their disease to some extent, plan for the future, and live with dementia if:

• Receive an early diagnosis
• Have access to the right services and support.

Early diagnosis will help rule out the possibility of other potentially treatable conditions with dementia-like symptoms.

You should aid individuals with dementia to get access to relevant information on their disease and support them. These people should try to make the most use of their capabilities and possibly benefiting from obtainable medical treatments. An early diagnosis allows a person to explain the changes in their life to their family and friends. On a pragmatic level, we can say a person with dementia can:

• examine their financial situation,
• discuss the issue with family members or legal professionals,
• make arrangements for a power of attorney (long-term) for an advance decision

There is significant evidence that an early diagnosis of dementia permits an individual with dementia to live on their own and in their very own house for a longer period. This helps people with dementia and their caregivers prevent early or unneeded admission to a care center or hospital, enhancing the quality of life and saving money on long-term healthcare expenses. The earlier someone is diagnosed, the more effective medical treatment can be.

The benefits of early diagnosis are as follows:

• For yourself and others close to you, have access to information, resources, and support.
• Destigmatize and demystify your current condition.
• Make the most of your life by maximizing your quality of life.
• Take advantage of various medical therapies to help you boost your cognition.
• Make preparations for the future.
• Explain what has changed in your life to your family, friends, and coworkers and how they may assist you.

 

The signs of dementia you need to know

According to Alzheimer’s disease international, the early signs and symptoms are as follows:

1. Loss of memory and Difficulty carrying out routine chores, having trouble recalling recent events and activities
2. Language difficulties
3. Loss of sense of time and place
4. Deteriorated or impaired judgment, Mood, personality, and behavior changes
5. Having difficulty keeping track of stuff and misplacing them
6. Having trouble with Image and spatial relationships
7. Withdrawal from the job or any social activities
8. Increased confusion
9. Not able to focus while they are working.
10. Loss of ability to perform daily chores
11. Having difficulties communicating, such as difficulty finding the correct words or utilizing words that don’t fit well in a sentence or context
12. Difficulty with abstract thinking, such as having trouble counting or managing finances.
13. Poor cognitive and spatial abilities while driving, such as trouble with evaluating speed, distance, and direction
14. Mood swings, including moments of unexpected confusion, guilt, withdrawal, and being suspicious most of the time.

 

What are the types of dementia?

The type of dementia are as follows:

 

Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is considered a type of dementia that affects people.

Experts estimate that 60 percent to 80 percent of dementia patients have this condition. Alzheimer’s disease has been identified in over 5 million people in the United States. When most people hear the word “dementia,” they immediately think of this.

If you or somebody you know has Alzheimer’s disease, you’ll notice signs including memory loss and having difficulty with planning and performing routine activities.

 

Vascular Dementia

Suppose a family member or acquaintance develops this sort of dementia. In that case, it’s usually due to a massive stroke or one or a series of smaller, “silent” strokes that occur without realizing it.

The symptoms vary depending on what portion of the brain was affected by the stroke.

 

Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB)

Lewy bodies are considered tiny protein deposits that develop in the brains of some people. They take their name from the scientist who first discovered them.

If you or someone you recognize gets DLB, it’s because these deposits have developed in the cortex, which is a section of the brain.

 

Parkinson’s disease Dementia

This type of dementia affects around half to eighty percent of people with Parkinson’s nervous system disorder disease. Normally, Dementia symptoms appear ten years after a person initially develops Parkinson’s disease.

This type looks a lot like a DLB. People with both disorders have indications of Lewy bodies in their brains, and they have the same symptoms.

 

Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)

If your beloved one has FTD, cells in the parts of the brain that control planning, judgment, emotions, speech, and movement have been damaged.

 

Huntington’s disease

This is a brain condition caused by a genetic flaw passed down through the generations and members of the family. While your loved one may be born with the Huntington’s disease gene, symptoms usually don’t appear until they are between 30 and 50.

 

Creutzfeldt – Jakob disease

Prions are proteins that cause ordinary proteins in the brain to fold into abnormal forms, which is a rare disorder. Dementia symptoms appear suddenly and rapidly worsen as a result of the damage.

 

Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

A buildup of fluid in the human brain causes this sort of dementia. Symptoms include difficulty with walking, difficulty with thinking and focusing, and changes in attitude and behavior.

 

Can you prevent dementia?

Some kinds of dementia are caused by circumstances that are beyond your control. However, there are several things you can do to reduce your risk of getting dementia and maintain your general health as follwos:

 

Daily Exercise can prevent dementia

Dementia can be lowered with regular physical activity. Aerobic exercise may delay atrophy in the hippocampus, the memory-controlling portion of the brain, according to a 2019 study.

 

Eat healthy and nutritious foods

A heart-healthy diet is also helpful for the brain and overall wellness. A nutritious diet may lower your chance of dementia-causing illnesses. A balanced diet, based on the World Health Organization (WHO) includes:

• Vegetables and fruits
• Lentils and beans
• Grains, tubers, and roots
• Eggs, milk, fish, and lean meat

 

Smoking increases the risk of dementia

According to Biomedcentral, smoking can increase your risk of dementia, especially if you’re 65 or older. Smoking has an impact on blood circulation throughout your body, including in your brain’s blood vessels.

 

Excessive usage of Alcohol is one of the biggest risk factors

According to Medical News Today, excessive alcohol intake may be a major risk factor for all types of dementia, including early-onset dementia. The current Dietary Guidelines for Americans says moderate drinking is defined as one drink in 24 hours for women and two drinks in a day for men.

 

Maintaining mental activity can be beneficial

Keep challenging yourself since an active mind may aid in reducing the chances of dementia. Here are several examples:

1. Learn a brand new skill, for example, a new language that you like
2. Play games and solve riddles and puzzles
3. Read books that are challenging to you.
4. Learn how you can read music, play an instrument, or begin writing.
5. Keep in touch with others or participate in group activities to stay socially engaged.
6. Volunteer

 

Dementia care in Las Vegas

If you have seen the signs and symptoms of dementia in your loved ones, the Health and Care professional Network can help you in taking care of them. Our caregivers provide knowledge and experience in dealing with the issue and provide in-home care services in your place of residence. You might be busy or not be able to take care of the seniors, we take the best of care from your loved ones. Give us a call at (702) 871-9917 to receive further information or go through the menu of the website.