Early Signs of Dementia
It’s Not Just Part of Getting Older
We’re all a little forgetful. And many of us spend way more time than we’d like to admit pondering the not-so-great mysteries of life, such as:
Where are my keys?
What day is it?
Who was the guy in that one movie with the girl from that show you like?
Just like our bodies, our minds show signs of wear and tear as we get older. It’s one thing to occasionally refer to a grandchild by the dog’s name. Other changes, like memory loss and confusion, could be a sign of something more serious.
Understanding what dementia is (and isn’t)
Dementia isn’t a disease; it’s a group of symptoms that affect your memory, thinking and social abilities in ways that can make life difficult. According to Michael Jones, DO, a neurology specialist at Adena, it’s more than just part of the aging process.
“Dementia is a decline in cognitive function from a previously higher level,” he said. “It is so important not to ignore the signs and symptoms of dementia, because not all dementia is due to the same underlying process. Although general aging is commonly associated, dementia may be due to Alzheimer’s disease, multiple strokes, Parkinson’s disease and a host of other conditions.”
Knowing the symptoms
Because dementia can originate from a wide range of different causes, the symptoms are equally wide-ranging. Symptoms of dementia fall into two general categories:
Cognitive – thinking, reasoning and remembering
- Memory loss that is noticeable to others
- Difficulty communicating or finding words
- Challenges with visual and abilities, such as getting lost while driving
- Trouble with problem-solving skills
- Confusion and disorientation
- Difficulty understanding complex tasks
- Difficulty with planning and organizing
- Decreased coordination and motor functions
Psychological – mental and emotional well-being
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Hallucinations
- Odd or inappropriate behavior
- Paranoia
- Personality changes
Knowing the causes and types
Dementia is caused by damage to (or loss of) nerve cells and how they are connected to the brain. Because different areas of the brain can be damaged, dementia can affect people differently and cause different symptoms.
Certain types of dementia will progress and can’t be reversed. This includes:
- Alzheimer's disease – which is the most common cause of dementia. It’s caused by plaques and tangles in their brains, which damage healthy neurons and the fibers connecting them.
- Vascular dementia – which is caused by damage to the vessels that supply blood to your brain.
- Lewy body dementia - are balloon-like clumps of protein in the brain.
- Frontotemporal dementia - is a group of diseases caused by the breakdown of nerve cells and their connections in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain.
- Mixed dementia – is a combination of the conditions above.
Lowering your risk
Certain risk factors, such as age and family history, can’t be changed. But there are other things that can significantly lower your risk of dementia.
“There is evidence to suggest that individuals with uncontrolled blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol may be at increased risk for dementia, Dr. Jones says. “Cognitive exercise such as social interaction, reading and continuous learning activities may decrease one’s risk.”
Other things you can do to lessen your risk of dementia include:
- Leading an active life
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Preventing head injury
- Limiting your use of alcohol
- Quitting smoking and support others to do the same
- Reducing your exposure to air pollution and second-hand smoke
- Using hearing aids if you have hearing loss or reducing hearing loss by protecting your ears from loud noise
Diagnosing dementia
Unfortunately, there is no one test to determine if someone has dementia. Alzheimer's and other types of dementia can be diagnosed using a combination of medical history, a physical examination, laboratory tests and the changes to thinking, day-to-day function and behavior that are caused by each category of dementia.
Doctors can determine if someone has dementia with a high level of certainty, but it's harder to know what type because the symptoms of different dementias can overlap.
A doctor may diagnose "dementia" and not specify a type. If this occurs, it may be necessary to see a specialist such as a neurologist, psychiatrist, psychologist or geriatrician.
Early detection is key
As with all medical conditions, talking to your doctor sooner rather than later is your best option. Certain conditions, like dementia, can be more easily treated when caught early.
“Many of the causes of dementia are treatable,” Dr. Jones said. “Early diagnosis and treatment often allows us to slow down the rate of progression and improve quality of life.”