Introduction
Dementia is a serious condition that affects millions of people around the world. It can cause memory loss, confusion, and difficulty with everyday tasks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified certain warning signs that may indicate you have dementia. Knowing these warning signs can help you seek medical attention and get the help you need. This article will discuss the warning signs of dementia according to the CDC and how to recognize them.
Warning Signs You Have Dementia, According to the CDC
Dementia is a progressive brain disorder that affects memory, thinking, behavior, and the ability to perform everyday activities. It is estimated that 5.8 million Americans are living with dementia, and the number is expected to rise to 14 million by 2050. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified several warning signs that may indicate you have dementia.
1. Memory Loss
One of the most common signs of dementia is memory loss. This can include forgetting recently learned information, forgetting important dates or events, and having difficulty recalling familiar people or places. Memory loss can also include repeating the same questions or stories.
2. Difficulty Planning or Solving Problems
People with dementia may have difficulty following a plan or working with numbers. This can include difficulty following a recipe, balancing a checkbook, or remembering how to complete a task.
3. Difficulty Completing Familiar Tasks
People with dementia may have difficulty completing tasks that they have done many times before. This can include driving to a familiar location, managing a budget, or remembering the rules of a favorite game.
4. Confusion with Time or Place
People with dementia may have difficulty understanding time or place. This can include getting lost in familiar places, not knowing what day or season it is, or not understanding how much time has passed.
5. Trouble Understanding Visual Images and Spatial Relationships
People with dementia may have difficulty understanding visual images and spatial relationships. This can include difficulty reading, judging distance, and determining color or contrast.
6. New Problems with Words in Speaking or Writing
People with dementia may have difficulty finding the right word or name, or may stop in the middle of a conversation. They may also have difficulty writing or have trouble following a conversation.
7. Misplacing Things and Losing the Ability to Retrace Steps
People with dementia may put things in unusual places and be unable to retrace their steps to find them again. They may also accuse others of stealing.
8. Decreased or Poor Judgment
People with dementia may experience poor judgment when it comes to making decisions. This can include giving away large amounts of money, wearing inappropriate clothing for the weather, or not taking care of personal hygiene.
9. Withdrawal from Work or Social Activities
People with dementia may start to withdraw from work or social activities. They may also have difficulty keeping up with a favorite hobby or sport.
10. Changes in Mood or Behavior
People with dementia may experience sudden mood swings, become confused or agitated, or display inappropriate behavior.
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these warning signs, it is important to talk to a doctor. Early diagnosis and treatment can help slow the progression of dementia and improve quality of life.
Dementia affects an average of 55 million people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. The disorder is caused when damaged brain cells can’t communicate with each other, which results in memory loss. People over 65 are generally affected by dementia and there are several signs according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read on to find out more about the symptoms of dementia—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
The CDC states, “Dementia is not a specific disease but is rather a general term for the impaired ability to remember, think, or make decisions that interferes with doing everyday activities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. Though dementia mostly affects older adults, it is not a part of normal aging.”
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Quite often loved ones recognize the signs of dementia and encourage medical treatment. The CDC states, “A healthcare provider can perform tests on attention, memory, problem solving and other cognitive abilities to see if there is cause for concern. A physical exam, blood tests, and brain scans like a CT or MRI can help determine an underlying cause.”
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There are several signs to be aware of and according to the CDC: trouble remembering familiar and daily tasks, problems with communicating, problem solving, difficulties with judgment and reasoning and visual perception beyond typical age-related changes in vision. Other symptoms according to the CDC include, “Getting lost in a familiar neighborhood, using unusual words to refer to familiar objects, forgetting the name of a close family member or friend, forgetting old memories and not being able to complete tasks independently.”
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While it does generally affect people 65 and older, early onset of dementia can start in your 30s, 40s and 50s.
The CDC’s website states additional risk factors.
- “Age
The strongest known risk factor for dementia is increasing age, with most cases affecting those of 65 years and older
- Family history
Those who have parents or siblings with dementia are more likely to develop dementia themselves.
- Race/ethnicity
Older African Americans are twice more likely to have dementia than whites. Hispanics 1.5 times more likely to have dementia than whites.
- Poor heart health
High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking increase the risk of dementia if not treated properly - Traumatic brain injury
Head injuries can increase the risk of dementia, especially if they are severe or occur repeatedly.”
One of the best things to do if you’re diagnosed with dementia is to keep your mind active and stay busy, maintain a healthy diet and get plenty of sleep.
“Treatment of dementia depends on the underlying cause. Neurodegenerative dementias, like Alzheimer’s disease, have no cure, though there are medications that can help protect the brain or manage symptoms such as anxiety or behavior changes. Research to develop more treatment options is ongoing,” the CDC says. “Leading a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, healthy eating, and maintaining social contacts, decreases chances of developing chronic diseases and may reduce the number of people with dementia.” And to protect your life and the lives of others, don’t visit any of these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.