Six key warnings signs of dementia after Alastair Stewart reveals diagnosis
Former ITV newsreader and journalist Alastair Stewart revealed he has vascular dementia just months after retiring from his five-decade-long career.
The former ITV newsreader and journalist, Stewart 71, told GB News his "very short-term memory" had become "tricky" and his motor skills "very tricky", saying visited his GP after feeling "discombobulated" around six months ago. He said: "It was like a scene from Casualty or Emergency Ward 10 because the results came back and I had indeed had a series of minor strokes. Not the big one where your face falls down and your arm goes doolally, but it's like pepper shots, and the cumulative effect of that is that I had a diagnosis of early onset vascular dementia."
The NHS describes Vascular dementia as the second most common cause of dementia, after Alzheimer's. Some people have both vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease, often called "mixed dementia". Here is a list of some symptoms and warning signs to look out for.
Stroke-like symptoms
This might include muscle weakness or temporary paralysis on one side of the body. It is important to note that these symptoms specifically require urgent medical attention. These strokes can be small and you may not notice them. These are known as silent strokes. Symptoms can appear suddenly if they are caused by a single stroke, or if they are caused by silent strokes they may appear gradually over time. Vascular dementia sometimes develops in “steps”, with symptoms staying the same for a while and then suddenly worsening. These steps are usually due to new strokes.
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Difficulty with movement
Sufferers may experience difficulty walking or a change in the way they walk. A study suggested that walking slower in old age could be a dementia red flag. Findings published in JAMA Network Open, suggested brain decline may impede a person's ability to walk. Dementia may greatly physically impact the person in the later stages of the condition. They may gradually lose their ability to walk, stand or get themselves up from the chair or bed and be more likely to fall.
Cognitive issues
Experiencing difficulty with attention, planning and reasoning may be a red flag. This can also include slowness of thought. Vascular dementia can also be caused by small vessel disease. This is when the small blood vessels deep within your brain become narrow and clogged up. The damage stops blood from getting to parts of your brain. The damage can build up over time and may cause signs of vascular cognitive impairment eventually leading to vascular dementia. Concentration can be affected - planning can becomes difficult and understanding what is being said
Confusion
Simililarly to Stewart mentioning feeling “discombobulated”, confusion can be a common sign sign of dementia. Someone with a dementia can lose track of times and dates. They may have trouble understanding something being planned in the future. Sometimes they may feel confused about where they are.
Mood changes
Depression and a tendency to become more emotional is common. This can also affect how your personality operates and your day to day behaviour. Unfortunately this can manifest as aggression or general inappropriate behaviour that might be out of character for the sufferer.
Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer’s symptoms may also be experienced, such as problems with memory and language (many people with vascular dementia also have Alzheimer's disease) Symptoms of vascular dementia can be Alzheimer's disease. However, the classic red flag of memory loss may not be as obvious in the early stages. Symptoms can sometimes develop suddenly and quickly get worse, but they can also develop gradually over many months or years.
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Scans suggested Stewart had suffered a series of strokes before being diagnosed with vascular dementia, which he Stewart said is "incurable". He added: "It was like a scene from Casualty or Emergency Ward 10 because the results came back and I had indeed had a series of minor strokes. Not the big one where your face falls down and your arm goes doolally, but it's like pepper shots, and the cumulative effect of that is that I had a diagnosis of early onset vascular dementia."
“However, the rigours of preparing for two live interview shows a week, and commuting from Hampshire to London for them, are considerable. I want to reduce my commitment while I’m still ahead as an old broadcaster, rather than an ancient one. Thankfully the timing is mine - I just want to spend more of it with my family, my horses, and the charities that have meant so much to me over the years."
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