Doctors say an early diagnosis of dementia can lead to better treatment – so it’s important to know the signs when you see them. “It is estimated that there are more than 55 million people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other causes of dementia worldwide, and this number is expected to rise to 78 million in 2030 and 139 million in 2050,” Says Andrew E. Bodson, MD. “There simply aren’t enough neurologists, psychiatrists, geriatricians, neuropsychologists, and other specialists to diagnose these individuals with cognitive decline and dementia. Here are the most common signs of dementia to watch for, according to doctors. Read on — and to ensure your health and the health of others Don’t miss these things Clear indications that you have already contracted the Corona virus.
While some forms of memory loss — for example, forgetting where you left your keys — are not a cause for concern, dramatic changes in memory can be a sign of dementia. “It’s important to me, when I’m trying to understand the person I see in the clinic, that I know where they come from.” Says Samantha Holden, MD. “What is your baseline? Has there been a change or regression in your thinking and memory? This does not mean that there has always been a disability – such as a learning disability – but that person was doing well before and now they are no longer.”
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Confusion is one of the first signs of dementia and may not go away right away. “Confusion is a common problem in people over 65,” according to a medical research article published in American family doctor. Deterioration in normal cognitive ability can be acute or chronic and progressive. In the elderly, confusion is more likely to be a symptom of delirium or dementia, although it can also be associated with psychosis and emotional disturbances, particularly major depression. “
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Sleep disturbance is closely related to dementia, with some people experiencing symptoms years before diagnosis. We can diagnose a sleep disorder through a sleep study. There is a high chance that a person with this disorder may have Lewy body dementia (Lewy body dementia) or Parkinson’s disease.” Neurologist James Lives, MD says:. “Oftentimes when someone comes in for an assessment and we ask about sleep disturbances, the partner says, ‘Oh, they’ve been doing this for years. “
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Doctors warn that dementia can cause people to see things that are not there. “It becomes problematic when people start to believe that their visual hallucinations are real.” Dr. life says. “If they call the police or they can’t sleep because they’re afraid, maybe we need to manage these symptoms.”
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Loss of the ability to understand a joke can be an early symptom of dementia. “If you find that your sense of humor has changed dramatically, it may be worth seeking medical advice,” he said. Katie Buckring, Director of Information Services at Alzheimer’s Research UK says.
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