Early Signs of Dementia You Shouldn’t Ignore

A collection of disorders known as dementia is defined by the impairment of at least two brain functions, such as judgment and memory loss. It’s critical to realize that dementia is a collection of symptoms brought on by various brain illnesses rather than a single disease. 

A loss of memory, language, problem-solving, and other cognitive abilities that is severe enough to interfere with day-to-day functioning is referred to as dementia. The most prevalent cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease.

Dementia falls under several categories in the ICD-10 classification, including mild dementia (ICD-10 code F03.90), Lewy body dementia (ICD-10 code G31.8), and vascular dementia (ICD-10 code F01). Early detection is crucial because it enables prompt action, aids in planning, and, in certain situations, slows the course.

Dementia symptoms deteriorate quickly if early assistance is not received, making daily living more difficult for the patient and their family. 

Early diagnosis also helps distinguish dementia from other treatable conditions, including delirium, highlighting the difference between delirium and dementia, a distinction critical for proper treatment.

7 Common Early Signs of Dementia

To ensure better outcomes, recognizing dementia’s early signs is essential.

1. Problems with Language and Communication: People may have trouble repeating themselves, finding the correct words, or becoming distracted during conversations.
2. Losing the Ability to Retrace Steps and Misplacing Items: Commonplace items like wallets and keys often end up in odd places. Sufferers eventually lose the power to go back in time, which causes them to become frustrated and accuse others.
   
3. Modifications to Behavior, Personality, and Mood: Depression, social disengagement, bewilderment, anxiety, or impatience are all possible symptoms of early dementia. 
4. Chronic Memory Impairment: Often forgetting recently gained information is one of the first signs. Strong indicators include asking the same questions repeatedly, forgetting crucial dates, and becoming increasingly dependent on memory aids.
5. Problem-Solving and Trouble-Planning: Complex chores like following recipes or handling finances might become perplexing when someone has dementia. Unlike typical age-related forgetfulness, this issue typically gets worse.
6. Perplexity Regarding Location or Time: Individuals could become disoriented by the passing of time, seasons, or dates. They may lose track of their whereabouts or how they got there, immediately raising questions about their cognitive health.
7. Challenges with Visual-Spatial: Visual perception issues can arise, including difficulty identifying people or assessing distances. Lewy body dementia is characterized by these symptoms more frequently (ICD-10 G31.8).

When to See a Doctor

When memory loss, confusion, or behavioral problems start to interfere with day-to-day functioning, getting medical help is recommended. 

Seeing a doctor is particularly important to rule out other causes like infections, thyroid issues, or even delirium since the difference between delirium and dementia lies in their causes and reversibility.

To differentiate between different forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia (ICD-10 F01), medical professionals may employ imaging, cognitive tests, and examinations of medical histories.

Tips for Monitoring Cognitive Health at Home

Proactively promoting brain health can help control early dementia symptoms and drastically lower the chance of cognitive decline. The following are important suggestions:

1. Attend to Your Physical Well-Being: It’s crucial to maintain general physical health. Good sleep habits, a balanced diet, and routine medical examinations support brain health.
2. Control elevated blood pressure: To avoid diseases like vascular dementia, blood pressure control is very crucial (ICD-10 F01). Over time, high blood pressure can harm brain blood vessels, resulting in cognitive issues.
3. Consume wholesome foods: The best possible brain performance is supported by a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and healthy fats, like the Mediterranean diet.
4. Maintain Mental Focus: Reading, solving puzzles, picking up a new skill, or playing an instrument are stimulating activities that improve cognitive reserve and fortify brain connections.
5. Continue Participating in Social Activities: By encouraging emotional health and activating the brain via dialogue and shared experiences, social engagement reduces the risk of dementia.
6. Take Quick Action to Address Mental and Physical Health Issues: Cognitive function can be preserved by treating diseases including diabetes, heart disease, anxiety, and depression. The importance of mental health care is equal to that of physical treatment.
7. Engage in Physical Activity: Frequent exercise, like yoga or walking, increases blood flow to the brain and lowers the risk of cognitive loss.
8. Recognize How Drugs May Impact the Brain: Certain drugs can exacerbate cognitive problems, lead to disorientation, or induce memory loss. To reduce hazards, it’s critical to discuss prescription regimens with medical professionals frequently, particularly when treating dementia or other cognitive disorders.

How Early Diagnosis Can Help in Management

Early dementia diagnosis has several advantages:

• Medical Treatments: Several drugs can better control symptoms in the early stages.
• Future Planning: Enables families to plan early for financial issues, housing arrangements, and care requirements.
• Support Access: Research trials and support services are open to patients.
• Risk factor control: It is especially crucial for vascular dementia (ICD-10 F01), as managing diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol can potentially slow or halt the disease’s progression.

Early detection is essential for certain forms, such as Lewy body dementia (ICD-10 G31.8), as symptoms including Parkinsonism and hallucinations necessitate distinct treatment strategies than Alzheimer’s.

References:

WHO – https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia

National Institute of Age (NIA)- https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-and-dementia

Alzheimer’s Association- https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia