Dementia warning - THREE early signs of Alzheimer’s disease - are you at risk?
DEMENTIA symptoms include difficulty concentrating, memory problems and mood changes. About 850,000 people in the UK have the condition, but are you showing any of these early warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimers Research UK explain 'what is dementia?'
Dementia is the name given to symptoms linked to an ongoing decline in brain function, according to the NHS.
Symptoms may get worse over time, so identifying early signs of the condition is very important.
There is currently no cure for dementia, but with early diagnosis, it could be slowed down.
Early warning signs of dementia can include problems keeping track of things, withdrawal from social activities, and difficulty performing familiar tasks.
The most common signs of dementia are memory loss and the loss of practical abilities
“Every person is unique and dementia affects people differently - no two people will have symptoms that develop in exactly the same way,” said Alzheimer’s Disease International.
“An individual's personality, general health and social situation are all important factors in determining the impact of dementia on him or her.
“The most common signs are memory loss and the loss of practical abilities, which can lead to withdrawal from work or social activities.
“If you think that these problems are affecting your daily life, or the life of someone you know, you should talk to your doctor, or encourage them to talk to theirs.”
Difficulty keeping track of things
Anybody can misplace their keys or wallet.
But, consistently misplacing everyday objects could be a sign of dementia.
People at risk of dementia may also put things in unusual places.
That may include putting an iron in the fridge, or a watch in a fruit bowl.
Withdrawal from social activities
A person with dementia may not seem like their usual self, and may become sad or moody from time to time, the charity said.
They could also become unusually emotional, or show less emotion than usual.
Difficulty with everyday tasks
Dementia patients may find it difficult to complete everyday, regular tasks.
If you, or someone you know, is struggling to decide which clothes to wear, or how to cook a relatively easy meal, you could be at risk.