Introduction
Dementia is a progressive neurological disorder that affects a person’s ability to think, remember, and reason. It is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. While there is no cure for dementia, early detection and treatment can help slow its progression. Knowing the signs of dementia can help you recognize the condition in yourself or a loved one. This article will discuss the typical order in which dementia signs appear and provide tips on how to eat healthy to help manage the condition.
Dementia Signs Usually Appear in This Order
Dementia is a progressive neurological disorder that affects a person’s ability to think, remember, and reason. It is a degenerative condition that can cause a person to experience a wide range of symptoms, including memory loss, confusion, difficulty with communication, and changes in behavior. While the exact cause of dementia is unknown, it is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.
When it comes to dementia, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms that may indicate the presence of the condition. While the signs and symptoms of dementia can vary from person to person, there is usually a general order in which they appear. Here is a look at the typical order in which dementia signs usually appear:
- Memory Loss: Memory loss is often one of the first signs of dementia. People with dementia may have difficulty remembering recent events, conversations, or even their own name. They may also forget how to do everyday tasks, such as cooking or using the phone.
- Confusion: People with dementia may become easily confused and disoriented. They may have difficulty understanding directions or following conversations. They may also become easily frustrated or agitated.
- Communication Difficulties: People with dementia may have difficulty expressing themselves or understanding what others are saying. They may also have difficulty finding the right words to express themselves.
- Changes in Behavior: People with dementia may experience changes in their behavior, such as becoming more withdrawn or aggressive. They may also become more easily agitated or have difficulty controlling their emotions.
If you or someone you know is exhibiting any of these signs and symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment can help slow the progression of the condition and improve quality of life.
Dementia is a syndrome that affects a person’s cognitive function, such as thought process, comprehension, learning capability and judgment. Nearly 55 million people worldwide live with dementia, according to the World Health Organization and “there are nearly 10 million new cases every year.” Dementia specialist Dr. Heather Palmer and former Cognitive Well-Being Advisor at Amica Senior Lifestyles tells Eat This, Not That! Health. “It is hard for us to imagine how the world might seem and change for people living with dementia, however, it’s important to understand that certain views and behaviors might impact or be indicative of someone living with dementia. From noticing changes in behavior when walking into rooms to neglecting plants, dementia can take many forms on someone’s way of life. But, through the use of various tools and tools and approaches, those living with dementia are still able to function well (or even better than they did before).” ETNT Health spoke with doctors who explained what signs of dementia are to watch out for and the order they can appear in. Read on to find out more—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs COVID is Hurting You—Even After a Negative Test.
Dr. James Dan, MD, geriatric clinical advisor and member of the Senior Helpers Board of Directors explains, “The key early symptom to detecting Alzheimer’s disease is the diminishing of one’s learning capacity. With normal aging, our memory and other mental capacities slowly decline, recent memory more than past memory. Things such as difficulty naming people, lack of attention span and becoming easily confused are common. So how do we recognize what is normal and what presages the sad course of Alzheimer’s disease? Early Alzheimer’s disease patients lose the capacity to learn. They struggle to retain even after being specifically retaught. Evaluation by a trained health professional will help distinguish between simply growing old and developing Alzheimer’s disease. There are many specialized dementia evaluation centers in the USA.”
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Dr. Kristina Hendija explains other signs of dementia to watch out for.
- “Anxiety and apathy were both commonly seen in patients with mild dementia. It was found that these symptoms were generally more persistent over time compared to other depressive symptoms.
- Delusions. Though commonly seen in dementia, studies conflict on the persistence of psychotic symptoms such as delusions. In general, however, it was found that hallucinations were much less persistent than delusions.
- Repetitive Storytelling. People with dementia often recount incidents that they remember repeatedly and more often than not, they mix up names and places whenever the story is told.”
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Dr. Dan says, “Dementia is the general term for a group of diseases that have some differences in their clinical course, but all have diminishing mental capacity as a feature. Alzheimer’s Disease is just one of the several causes. It is distinguished by the finding of tangles of abnormal proteins with brain imaging. Another common cause of dementia is vascular dementia; this is essentially the byproduct of many little strokes over time.”
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Dr. Palmer reveals how the world can appear to those living with dementia. She explains how normal things in a living room can look to dementia patients.
- Decorations: “Decorations can appear distorted and frightening to someone with dementia – ie. Dotted wallpaper can appear as large ants crawling up the wall.”
- Dark Holes: Shadows cast on the ground may be perceived as big holes and lead to a fear of falling into this bottomless pit, leading to those with dementia avoiding crossing the shadow.
- Glare From Light Sources: Even soft glow lamps can appear glared and bright, as those with dementia often experience light sensitivity.
- View In The Window: Depth perception and the ability to judge distance pose additional dangers.”
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Dr. Palmer gives the following advice for people caring for someone with dementia,
- “Building a base of knowledge to help gain a perspective on some of the cognitive challenges that seniors with dementia experience
- Learn to understand the symptoms of dementia, such as forgetfulness, agitation, or hallucinations
- Create strategies and plans that create joy and minimize triggers that may distress someone with dementia, such activities when a senior is typically most alert and happy or allowing seniors to enjoy a harmless delusion
- Track the activities that help comfort a senior with dementia, such as soothing music or old photos, and those that cause anxiety or resistance i.e. noisy environments or hunger
- Connect with other caregivers, friends, and other family, to help spread out the work and reduce caregiver fatigue and stress. This can be as simple as asking a friend to pick up groceries
- Talking to others, talking about your challenges and feelings such as guilt, frustration and grief can be helpful
- Ask for support when you need a break to help avoid burnout and recharge.” And to live your healthiest life, don’t miss this life-saving advice I’m a Doctor and Here’s the #1 Sign You Have Cancer.