8 Warning Signs of Dementia That Should Not Be Ignored

8 Warning Signs of Dementia That Should Not Be Ignored

Dementia is a mental health condition characterized by a persistent decline in intellectual functioning as a person ages. It leads to difficulty remembering things, abstract thinking, poor logical reasoning, confusion, and trouble starting and carrying forward conversations. The ailment also changes people drastically in terms of personality. For instance, the individual may get upset, worried, or angry more quickly. Here are the common warning signs of dementia that one should not ignore.

Inability to recall actions and experiences
Dementia impacts the brain’s memory center right from the onset. As a result, people with the condition tend to forget past conversations or experiences as if they never happened. It is one reason they often ask the same question multiple times despite repeatedly receiving an answer. Some patients repeat the same story to the same person in the same way over and over again.

Speaking of memory, people with dementia struggle with remembering the minute details of an event or place they had visited recently. For example, they may forget they have been to a foreign country for a holiday a few days after returning. That said, they may recall specific events from their earlier life pretty clearly.

Forgetting familiar names and faces
Actions and experiences are not the only things individuals with dementia forget. The condition distorts their memory to the extent that they may have trouble recalling the faces and names of their kids, spouses, and parents. More worryingly, this happens even in the initial stages. While it is common for everyone to occasionally forget the names and faces of their acquaintances, forgetting the names and faces of immediate family members is a sign one needs expert attention.

Confusion about time and place
Besides forgetting faces and events, individuals with dementia constantly feel disoriented by their immediate surroundings. Such persons may suddenly wonder how they reached a particular place, such as the porch of their house, and get lost in familiar settings. The constant feeling of seeing something new and scary can debilitate other brain functions in dementia patients.

People with dementia may also lose their sense of time. They may not know whether a given event is occurring during the day or night. It is a common warning sign of dementia that should not be ignored.

Language problems
While speaking, many mispronounce a few words accidentally or struggle to find the right words to convey what they have in mind. However, if such language problems reoccur frequently, it is a cause for worry. People with dementia often forget the simplest words and their substitutes, making their utterances challenging to understand. Similarly, dementia makes it hard for people to understand what others tell them.

Difficulty performing familiar tasks
Familiar tasks, such as preparing a meal one has cooked a thousand times before or putting on a coat, become extremely difficult for people with dementia. Even in its initial stages, the condition causes people’s minds to become so muddled and indecisive that their bodies refuse to do the simplest of tasks, even if they want to do them. This is one of the most evident warning signs of dementia. Those who find it hard to perform simple everyday tasks should visit a mental health therapist sooner than later to address the problem.

Impaired judgment
Individuals with dementia find making small decisions incredibly challenging. It could be something as routine as deciding which foot to slip into a shoe first before putting the other one on the other foot. Such high levels of impaired judgment can cause people to make dangerous decisions that may have severe consequences for their (or their loved ones’) health. Not wearing sweaters and other woolen clothes on a freezing day and walking toward oncoming vehicles on a busy street are other major faulty decisions someone with dementia will likely make.

It is important to note that this kind of impaired judgment differs from what a sound-minded person may occasionally experience; for example, wondering whether to put off a doctor’s visit due to a busy work schedule.

Loss of interest or apathy
It is normal for one to display apathy toward specific events or people based on their life experiences and memories. However, when apathy becomes an inherent part of somebody’s life, they may have initial-stage dementia. Those with this condition slowly but surely start losing their social skills. They lose interest in spending time with their family, friends, work colleagues, or local acquaintances.

Besides dementia, general apathy is a sign of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MCI is a condition that occasionally acts as a precursor to dementia, even though it is not as severe as the latter. People who develop it, more often than not, go on to develop dementia. Therefore, if a person shows general apathy to anyone and anything around them (along with some other symptoms listed here), the best advice is to get them checked by a healthcare professional at the earliest.

Falling more often than normal
The brain helps people balance their bodies. However, dementia affects the portion of the brain responsible for this function, causing individuals to lose their balance, fall, and get hurt. Someone with the condition may even fall while standing straight, which is a major red flag and a reason to get checked to determine the underlying cause.

Some other early warning signs of dementia are subtle short-term memory changes, abrupt changes in mood, challenges in understanding visual information, problems with speaking or writing, a failure to detect sarcasm or lies, and disregarding the law and other social norms. Those who constantly experience these signs should visit a doctor for a diagnosis. The earlier dementia is diagnosed, the better it can be managed in the long run.

Popular Reads

Top 6 foods that may reduce dementia risk

Top 6 foods that may reduce dementia risk

Many individuals mistakenly believe that dementia is a disease, but it’s a term used to describe symptoms related to memory, social abilities, and thinking. These symptoms can be challenging to manage and can impact daily activities. However, healthcare professionals often recommend implementing a healthy meal plan as a way to improve management. If you’re interested in learning about how your food intake can reduce the risk of developing dementia, read on. What is dementia? As previously mentioned, dementia is not a specific disease. Instead, health conditions like Alzheimer’s disease are among its most frequent causes in older adults. Other known causes of dementia include damage to the blood vessels that supply nutrients to the brain, the formation of balloon-like proteins in the brain, and the breakdown of connections and nerve cells in the brain. While memory loss is one of its most recognizable signs, this symptom alone does not mean one has dementia. Most symptoms of this group of health issues can vary depending on the cause. Hence, here are some of the most common signs to look out for. Memory loss Difficulties while communicating Reasoning and problem-solving issues Poor control of movements and coordination Disorientation Confusion What are the foods that can help reduce the risk of dementia? Typically, dementia and Alzheimer’s are known to be caused by a combination of several factors, such as environmental, lifestyle, and genetic. Furthermore, developing issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease can contribute to cognitive decline in patients. Therefore, healthcare professionals suggest the consumption of nutrient-rich foods to reduce dementia risk as one grows older. Some of the foods that can be added to one’s meal plan are: Avocados Avocados are one of the most commonly known superfoods, which can provide the brain with the needed energy without a spike in blood sugar levels.
Avoid these 15 common shower mistakes

Avoid these 15 common shower mistakes

There is nothing a warm shower cannot resolve. Showering after a long day can be a stress reliever and enhance one’s mood instantly. It also has several other health benefits besides cleansing the body, including facilitating cold relief, boosting immunity, and relieving muscle pain. However, not bathing the right way can give rise to skin conditions such as rashes and eczema. Here are some common mistakes one should avoid while bathing and showering: Not moisturizing after a shower Wiping after a bath can reduce the body’s moisture, causing dry skin, which can lead to rashes and itching. Dermatologists recommend applying body lotion and moisturizer immediately after a shower to retain skin texture and prevent dryness. One should look for hypoallergenic moisturizers that do not have any added fragrances. Bathing in scorching hot water Scorching hot water can damage keratin cells in the skin’s outer layer. Consequently, the skin becomes dry and dehydrated. It is important to balance the water temperature before stepping into the shower. Ideally, the temperature of the water should be lukewarm. Using the wrong towel An absorbent towel that does not feel rough is ideal for wiping oneself after a shower. The most effective way to select the right towel is to check its density, measured in grams per square meter (GSM). Towels with GSMs between 400 and 550 are considered ideal for use after bathing. One should avoid towels below a GSM of 400, as these towels can be thin and rough, causing skin dryness. Moreover, towels made of superior-quality Egyptian or Turkish cotton are extremely soft and perfect for the skin. Soaping the arms and legs excessively While it is important to wash and clean one’s arms and legs, these areas typically do not collect much oil and dust. Hence, scrubbing them excessively can dry out these areas and hamper their natural texture.
15 signs of a weak immune system

15 signs of a weak immune system

The immune system is a complex network of organs, cells, and proteins that act as the body’s defense mechanism against diseases and infections. The system —the innate immune system that people are born with and the adaptive immune system, which develops due to exposure to toxins and microbes. Both parts work together to keep infection-causing germs and toxins. So, weak immunity can make the body susceptible to diseases and other health issues. High stress levels The American Psychological Association suggests that chronic stress weakens the immune system. This is because stress lowers the number of white blood cells (i.e., lymphocytes) in the body that fight infections, increasing the risk of infections such as the common cold. Persistent cold Most adults develop two to three colds per year, which usually last from 7 to 10 days. During this period, the immune system forms antibodies to fight the virus. However, if one keeps catching a cold or is dealing with common cold symptoms for a long time, it could be a sign of weak immunity. Slow-healing wounds When one develops a cut or a wound, the body immediately goes into damage control mode to stop any bleeding and regenerate skin. Immune cells in the body guide this process. However, when dealing with a weakened immune system, wounds take longer to heal. This can make one more susceptible to infections as well. Frequent infections Those with a lowered immunity are at a higher risk of contracting infections such as pneumonia, meningitis, bronchitis, and skin infections. They are also more likely to experience autoimmune disorders, organ inflammation, blood disorders such as anemia, and growth and developmental delays. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, some signs of weak immunity include: – Having more than four ear infections in a year – Developing pneumonia twice within a year – Dealing with chronic sinusitis or more than three episodes of bacterial sinusitis in a year Fatigue If one constantly feels tired despite getting enough sleep, it may be a sign of weak immunity.