17 February 2023 , 09:44
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Dementia impacts roughly 850,000 people in the UK, and that number is rising year on year as the general population age increases.
The deadly disease, which gradually wares down cognitive ability and memory, is surprisingly hard to pin down.
Dementia has 200 known variants — including Alzheimers. It displays differently in every person and can impact adults of any age.
Nonetheless, there are a few early tell-tale signs that appear in the majority of sufferers.
Catching the disease early can sometimes help slow the degeneration down, however there is no known cure for the illness yet.
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Alzheimer's Association explain: “With early detection, you can explore treatments that may provide some relief of symptoms and help you maintain a level of independence longer, as well as increase your chances of participating in clinical drug trials.”
Many people think that the only sign of dementia is memory loss, however there are other early giveaways that can help lead to a prompt diagnoses.
Early signs of dementia
Mood swings are a common sign of dementia (Getty Images)When people start to develop dementia, their personality will often change.
Alzheimers Society say: "Personalities can change in subtle ways over time. However, a person living with dementia may experience more striking personality changes and can become confused, suspicious or withdrawn.
"Changes may also include lack of interest or fearfulness."
In addition, the condition can impact mood — which can often appear like a personality shift.
"Someone living with dementia can show varied mood swings – from calmness to tears to anger – for no apparent reason." Explain Alzheimer's Society.
Experts also understand that dementia often causes people to grow disinterested in daily life, resulting in passive behaviour.
If a person starts to tire of social interaction or household chores, they could be developing dementia.
Full list of dementia symptoms
Dementia can impact everyone differently. When a doctor is looking to diagnose dementia, they will identify these signs and symptoms, according to Dementia UK :
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Memory problems
- increasing forgetfulness
- difficulty retaining new information
- getting lost in places that used to be familiar
- struggling with names
- misplacing things frequently
Cognitive ability
- difficulty understanding time and place, eg getting up in the middle of the night to go to work, even if they’re retired
- difficulty with choosing what to buy and paying when shopping
- struggling with decision-making and reasoning
- loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy
- restlessness, eg pacing, fidgeting and trying to leave the house
Communication
- struggling to find the right words
- repeating themselves often
- difficulty making and following conversation
- difficulty reading and writing
- becoming quieter and more withdrawn
- loss of interest in socialising
- loss of confidence
- changes in personality and behaviour
- mood swings, anxiety and depression
How to prevent dementia
Although there is no known cure for dementia, the illness can be slowed down.
Some dementia risk factors, such as age and genetics, are inevitable – whereas others are within our control.
The NHS suggests that risk factors such as hearing loss, untreated depression, loneliness, or sitting for most of the day, may be important.
As a general rule, a healthy lifestyle could — and should — help the speed with which dementia develops and spreads.