Early Warning Signs of Dementia
Helpful Warning Signs of Identifying Dementia
As you age, it is important to keep up with all aspects of health. Being cognisant of your, or a loved one’s, physical and mental well-being is key to promoting a healthy, long life. With the additional health-related stresses that come with age, dementia is, unfortunately, a possible and common outcome.
The Health Effects of Dementia You Should Know
If unfamiliar, dementia is a variety of symptoms that may occur comorbidly with other possible diseases. The effects of dementia have the ability to impair thought, communication, and memory. While there is little you can do to avoid the onset of dementia, there are steps that can be taken to alleviate stress caused by the condition—for both patients and their loved ones. This is why it is extremely important to catch signs of dementia early on. By recognizing symptoms in advance, you have a better chance of slowing the progression of the disease and preserving mental function through recommended cognitive training and therapy. Although a large component of the disease, observed memory problems should not immediately be perceived as dementia. In fact, a patient is required to have at least two different impairments that heavily affect everyday function. In addition to struggling with remembering, other impairments include trouble with language, communication, focus, and reasoning.
Short Term Memory Loss
Sometimes it may be difficult to differentiate dementia from other conditions. Here are specific signs to look out for that may merit evaluation by a physician, so you or your loved one may proceed with treatment. Short-term memory loss (forgetting what one had for breakfast, where they placed an item, etc.), difficulty communicating thoughts, mood swings (depression, shifting personality, etc), apathy or loss of interest, difficulty completing normal tasks, confusion, struggling to follow stories, a failing sense of direction, being repetitive , and struggling to adapt to change. If you or a loved one are experiencing a number of impairments, it is crucial to talk to a doctor or nurse practioner from HouseCall Specialists .