Dementia: 5 early warning signs of dementia – Times of India

Mild forgetfulness is common in people of all age groups. We all have those days when we can’t find our wallet or car keys or remember the name of our former coworker we suddenly met years later. Our brain is so busy processing the various activities of the day that we sometimes miss out on small details of less importance. It is said to be problematic when it becomes severe and starts interfering with our daily activities.

With age, we become more prone to develop mental health conditions known as dementia. It is not a specific disease, but a group of conditions characterized by impairment of at least two brain functions, such as memory loss and judgment. Studies show that before the onset of dementia, there are some subtle warning signs. While there is no cure or prevention for this mental health condition, starting treatment early can help you manage it better. Here are 5 early warning signs of dementia.

inability to detect speech

An inability to detect speech in noisy environments may also indicate an increased risk of dementia, according to a new study by Oxford researchers. An inability to detect speech can usually be considered a sign of hearing impairment, but Oxford researchers have also linked it to dementia. According to the researchers, people who struggled to hear in loud environments were twice as likely to develop dementia as those who had no hearing difficulties.

loss of memory
Memory loss is one of the early symptoms of dementia. A person on the verge of developing this condition often has a hard time remembering information. They rely on family and friends to keep track of such details. People who sometimes forget an event and remember it later are not said to have dementia. It is only a matter of age.

having difficulty performing familiar daily tasks
With dementia, even basic tasks like making a cup of tea and operating a computer become difficult. These are some of the tasks that you must have done for many years yet find it challenging to complete. You may face this difficulty at work or at home.

Struggling to follow conversation or find the right words
People with dementia may also find it difficult to engage in conversation or put their thoughts into words. They may forget what they were talking about or what the other person has said. It can be difficult to have a conversation with such a person, and it may take longer to get over it. Many people also start misspelling or make grammatical mistakes or their handwriting becomes difficult to read.

mood change
With frequent mood changes, you can easily recognize the symptoms of dementia. Sometimes you may feel cheerful and full of life while others may appear serious. There will be a gradual change in personality, which will be quite evident. People suffering from depression are also at risk of developing this condition.