Dementia is a specific term used for various diseases and conditions that are characterized by a decline in memory, language, problem solving and other critical skills that affect one’s ability to perform routine activities. The most common problems that people face in dementia is loss of memory and Alzheimer’s is believed to be the most common cause of dementia. The most obvious symptoms of dementia include impairment in thoughts, communication and memory and with the passage of time, patient begins to deteriorate to an extent that he or she even forgets their name.
In most of the cases, detecting Dementia Symptoms becomes very tough because the caregivers fail to realize if it is dementia or some other problem. A patient will need to have at least two types of impairment that interfere with everyday routine to be diagnosed with dementia. The sad thing about this is that even the patients do not seem to realize what is happening to them and try to remember details and people with whom they are living or interacting with on daily basis but this becomes difficult with passage of time.
If your loved one is facing some problems relating to memory, communication or focus, it is important that you watch out carefully as these might be the subtle signs of dementia. You might not be able to prevent dementia as no medicine or cure has been invented or discovered as yet but you might be able to slow down the process with proper care and therapy and even supportive medicines.
Discussed here are top subtle symptoms that you need to watch out for to detect dementia at an early stage:
Slow deterioration of memory
You might notice that your loved one is having trouble with memory more than often. This deterioration is slow but noticeable and tends to involve short term memory. The patient might be able to remember events that took place years ago but does not remember what he did in the morning. Other symptoms of slowing deteriorating memory include forgetting where they kept their keys or mobile, what they did a short while ago and what were they doing a few hours or minutes ago. If you notice this happening more than once, it is time to consult a doctor.
Communication problems
Another subtle symptom of dementia is patients’ inability to convey what he or she is feeling and share it with others. A person suffering from dementia might be unable to come up with the right words to express what he or she wants to say. People at early stages of dementia find it hard to hold proper conversation as they keep on forgetting what they want to say and what words to use to express their thoughts.
Frequent mood swings
Patients on the verge of dementia often face mood swings and they tend to occur at shorter intervals as the condition deteriorates. The patient might suffer from depression, shift in personality and inability to make proper judgements. A person who was shy his or her entire life might become very outgoing and vocal; the main reason being that judgment is affected in this condition which leads to mood swings.
Inability to act normally
The patient will find it difficult to complete even the normal tasks such as remembering how to manage finances, playing games or understanding rules and regulations that was not so difficult in the past. This might be the onset of dementia and with passage of time even familiar tasks like taking a shower and changing clothes will become tough and the patient will find it difficult to learn new things or follow new routines.
Confusion and inability to comprehend
The patient might become confused and not know what they need to do and how. This results from lapse in memory, thinking or judgment and the patient no longer remember faces, right words or understand what is going on around them. Confusion is often a result of not only what they were doing a few minutes ago, remembering someone they have met before or just by feeling lost and depressed. This leads to inability to comprehend and the patients need attention and care as they are no longer able to fend for themselves.
People in early stages of dementia find it tough to cope with things as they are afraid of the changes going inside them. They will try to pretend that everything is fine and they are just not feeling well due to any reason. However, it is up to the family members to notice even these subtle symptoms and get medical assistance. Knowing about the initial signs of dementia Bucks County, you have a chance to seek appropriate medical help for the patient and give them better quality life in the long run.
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