Senior Consultant Neurologist in Mukundapur, Kolkata

Dr. Madhuparna Paul

Senior Consultant - Neurology

Book Appointment

Subscribe to our blogs

Reviewed by

Dr. Madhuparna Paul

Senior Consultant - Neurology

Manipal Hospitals, Mukundapur

Book Appointment

Is It More Than Just Forgetfulness? Spotting Early Signs of Dementia

Reviewed by:

Are you finding it difficult to remember recent events? It may be time to visit a neurologist. Dementia is a neurological condition that causes symptoms of short-term memory loss. Currently, 55 million people have been diagnosed with dementia worldwide; there are 10 million new cases identified each year.1 Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia form the majority of the cases. Explore this blog to learn about dementia causes and dementia symptoms.

What is dementia?

Dementia is a broad term that describes a chronic or persistent disorder of mental processing (ability to remember, process information, and speak) that may interfere with daily life. It affects the individual’s focus, attention, language ability, problem-solving, or visual perception. The condition is quite common in individuals over the age of 65, but it may also develop in those over 30.

If you are suspected of having dementia, your doctor may order mental health tests, neurological exams, blood tests, and brain imaging tests.

Stages of dementia

Dementia is categorised into a three-stage system (mild, moderate, severe) or a seven-stage system, such as

Stage 1: No cognitive decline
Stage 2: Memory loss in old age
Stage 3: Mild cognitive impairment, not impairing day-to-day activities
Stage 4: Mild dementia
Stage 5: Moderate dementia
Stage 6: Moderately severe dementia
Stage 7: Severe dementia

What causes dementia?

Any damage to your brain nerve cells stops them from sending messages to one another, resulting in dementia. When the cells cannot communicate, it affects the brain's ability to think and function and also causes changes in behaviour. For a small number of people, rare genetic variants may also be one of the dementia causes.

What are the early signs of dementia?

Symptoms of dementia often develop slowly and worsen over time, limiting the individual’s ability to function. The affected person has short-term memory loss and may have trouble completing complex mental tasks, including reasoning, communication, focus, and language abilities.

Signs of memory loss

The first sign of dementia is subtle short-term memory loss. The affected individual remembers events that happened years ago but fails to recall recent ones. They also tend to forget or misplace their belongings or perform tasks they were once familiar with or meant to complete for the day.

Difficulty completing tasks

This could also possibly be an early indicator of dementia, which starts off with difficulty performing complex tasks to finding it hard to learn new things or follow routines.

Problems with speaking

Individuals with early-onset dementia may have difficulty communicating their thoughts or feelings. For example, they may struggle to find the right words or express themselves. Some individuals may stop the conversation mid-sentence and find it difficult to continue, or they may repeat themselves. They also find it difficult to follow conversations.

Changes in mood

If you have dementia, you are prone to developing depression. Also, the tendency to be fearful or anxious is greater, and as a result, they become sensitive to changes in their daily routine. They become easily upset at home, with friends, or when they are out of their comfort zone. Some of them also find it difficult to control their emotions and have personality changes.

Confusion

People with dementia often appear confused, have trouble recognising faces and the day of the month or may get lost easily. Sometimes, they may forget where they are and how they got there.

A lack of interest in hobbies (apathy)

They lose interest in activities they enjoyed earlier and may not want to go out anymore or have fun. Individuals with dementia also tend to spend less time with family and friends. A 2023 study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that apathy may be a sign that someone with mild cognitive impairment is progressing to Alzheimer’s disease.

Failing sense of direction

With the onset of dementia, the sense of direction and spatial orientation can worsen. As a result, they may forget to get to once familiar places. For example, they could often get lost in their neighbourhood, on the route to work, or even within their own home.

Difficulty adapting to change

Some dementia patients may become fearful of change or new experiences and crave a routine. As a result, they withdraw themselves from hobbies, social activities, or other engagements.

Poor judgement

Cognitive decline causes the loss of the ability to make good decisions in dementia patients. For example, they may exhibit poor judgement in financial matters and may not groom themselves properly or keep themselves clean.

Other physical symptoms like vision or hearing loss may also develop in dementia patients.

Conclusion

Dementia is a complex condition that can affect an individual’s memory, cognitive abilities, or behaviour. While the early dementia symptoms are subtle, understanding the stages of dementia and symptoms early is crucial for managing the disease effectively. If you know someone showing these early signs of dementia, book an appointment with our expert neurologists at Manipal Hospitals, Mukundapur, and get a comprehensive evaluation and treatment.

FAQ's

How is dementia diagnosed?

Dementia can be diagnosed by undergoing a full physical and psychological assessment. This includes:

Neurological tests
Mental tests for memory and focus
Urine tests
Blood tests
Imaging tests (chest X-ray, ECG, CT scan, MRI)

How is dementia treated?

Currently, there is no cure for dementia. Individuals living with this condition find ways to cope with their illness and improve their quality of life. Some medications, such as cholinesterase inhibitors, memantine, antipsychotics, and antidepressants, are available to manage symptoms. Getting a carer is also beneficial for individuals with advanced dementia.

Can dementia be prevented?

There is no known way to prevent dementia; however, keeping your brain and body healthy can reduce your risk. This includes:

Eating a balanced diet
Being socially and physically active
Quitting smoking and drinking alcohol in moderation
Avoiding head injuries
Keeping your brain active
Managing your underlying health condition

Are the early signs of dementia in women different from those in men?

Women are at greater risk of developing dementia. This could be because they live longer than men. Women tend to have more memory-related issues, develop behavioural changes, or develop Alzheimer’s. They also have rapid dementia progression once the disease sets in.