How to Spot Early Indicators of Dementia

Memory lapses are quite common for all of us in our daily life – there’s no need to worry if they are no different from the occasional instances you spot among most people. It is only when memory starts constantly interfering with the most basic tasks that there are suspicions of dementia.

early signs of alzheimer's

What should we consider warnings towards serious mental problems?

Generally speaking, the easiest way to evaluate your mental state is by judging the ability to deal with common everyday tasks.

Unusually weakened memory will be noticed by friends or family. Some common early signs of dementia include having trouble recognizing people or remembering activities, changes in personality and interests, getting lost in familiar places and other mental struggles that will show a different person than what they knew.

Some other warning signs are:

  • Trouble making decisions
  • Difficulty in doing common tasks independently
  • Having difficulties taking part in conversations, due to repetitive tendencies
  • Showing poor social behavior in basic situations
  • Consistently having trouble with house activities due to short-term memory loss. Leaving the water running, for example.
  • Becoming aggressive when people point out memory problems

Difference between regular aging problems and signs of dementia

It is important to take into account that aging will decrease memory performance. It is normal that as you grow old, you will start having a harder time remembering things. There is, however, a difference in the occurrence rate and severity of memory lapses between a regular aging brain and one affected by dementia.

Signs of dementia:

  • Trouble making decisions
  • Inability of keeping track of your general possessions
  • Frequently forgetting the date and the activities done during the day
  • Unable to have a conversation
  • Not being able to logically follow the way towards something you need to remember
  • Not remembering familiar things: places, objects, even human faces
  • Not being able to live independently due to memory problems, which interfere with common tasks

Regular aging symptoms:

  • Occasionally having bad judgment
  • Misplacing things at times
  • Forgetting things, yet generally having the ability to trace them back

The difference between these two can quickly be spotted and can be summarized as the people’s mental ability to take care of themselves in everyday life.

General ways of preventing Alzheimer’s

  • Exercise – This leads to better blood circulation and oxygenation in the brain, improving memory.
  • Have mentally engaging activities – Regular activities that stimulate the brain have been shown to decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s. These could be learning how to draw or play a musical instrument; anything that allows the brain to develop further.
  • Get your daily dose of vitamin D from moderate sun exposure – Vitamin D deficiencies have been linked to increased risks of Alzheimer’s. 15 minutes of daily exposure to the sun should be enough.
  • Avoid toxic substances from certain medication – You should avoid drugs that do not allow acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter, to work properly. Consult your doctor to be sure. Also, do not use products containing aluminum on your body.
  • Eat healthy

A diet high in healthy fats, moderate in protein and low in carbs is recommended.     

With the right steps, dementia can be prevented or acted against as soon as you spot the warning signs. We recommend leading a healthy lifestyle and visiting specialists periodically.

Post comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *.