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Early signs of Dementia
Concerned about yourself or a loved one?
Read our simple guide below on what to look out for and how to track it
Dementia is not one thing
Dementia is not one thing
Therefore there's no one definitive list of warning signs.
3 in 5 of all Dementia cases are Alzheimer's, which is why the terms Dementia and Alzheimer's are often used interchangeably in general conversation.
We will cover this first.
FAD
Corticobasal syndrome
Progressive supranuclear palsy
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
Niemann-Pick disease
Wernicke Korsakoff
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy
Posterior Cortical Atrophy
Parkinsons
Huntington's
Frontotemporal (FTD)
Lewy Body
Vascular
Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's memory symptoms
Alzheimer's impact on memory can manifest itself in day to day life in some obvious, and some not so obvious ways.
Forming & recalling recent memories
Recent events, names, faces and information are hard to recall.
Both the formation of new memories, and the recall of information can be slowed down or prevented.
Repetition
Either saying or asking the same things often. Additionally, following conversations or complex stories can become difficult as they struggle to retain information.
Misplacing items in unexpected locations
Misplacing things is quite common, or placing them in unusual places.
Getting lost
Getting lost in even in familiar surroundings or on familiar routes.
Communication
Because word recall is hard, you might find people struggle to find the right word in conversation.
Other Alzheimer's symptoms
It is important to watch out for the following developments too, as different abilities decline at different rates - these could be signs whilst memory is still in tact.
People with dementia may struggle with planning and organizing activities. This can manifest in tasks like:
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Difficulty making decisions - They might have trouble choosing what to wear, where to go, or what to eat.
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Problems with sequencing - They may have trouble understanding the order of steps in a task, such as getting dressed or preparing a meal.
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Anxiety & Depression are common symptoms of dementias'.
These manifest themselves in things like irritability, loss of interest in usual topics or hobbies and lack of confidence.
Due to the complexity, there's many ways in which people can be 'not themselves' as disease progression changes the ability to regulate emotions and impulses.
Dementia can affect motor skills and coordination, leading to:
Clumsiness: They may have difficulty walking, using utensils, or buttoning their clothes.
Difficulty with balance: They may be more prone to falls.Trouble estimating distances or confusing reflections or patterns with actual objects
Language skills can deteriorate in people with dementia, resulting in:
Word-finding difficulties: They may struggle to find the right words to express themselves.
Difficulty understanding language: They may have trouble following conversations or understanding written material.
Changes in speech patterns: They may speak slowly, repeat themselves, or use incorrect wordsMemory issues can be mistaken for a lack of attention.
Fluctuating attention being the main symptom can point to another type of dementia - Lewy Body
Important distinctions
Alternative causes
It's important to note there are other common, treatable, causes of similar symptoms. You should always consult a Doctor as early as possible with concerns.
Examples of other causes here.
Gradual change
Alzheimer's isn't a sudden change, but a result of damage that's built up over the lifetime, so these symptoms will develop gradually. This also means you can stop the damage and reduce your risk.
Find out more here.
Aging or Alzheimers
Occasional forgetfulness is a normal part of aging, Dementia causes a much more severe decline, in more than one area of ability, eventually making living life independently impossible.
Age isn't a barrier
Alzheimer's can occur before 60, this is called "Early onset" . Typically if it occurs before 50, this is an inherited form called FAD (Familial Alzheimer's Disease) so people who are aware of their family history often know it's a risk, and can get genetic testing on the NHS.
Other common Dementia's
& their symptoms
Menopause or Dementia?
Hormonal changes throughout a female's life— especially during perimenopause and menopause—can cause brain fog, memory lapses, and mood swings.
The symptoms and timing often overlap with the potential early signs of multiple forms of Dementia but especially Frontotemporal Dementia, making it difficult to tell if they are temporary or part of a more serious issue.
Monitoring your brain health is key to early intervention and long-term mental clarity.
Perimenopause (Typically begins in the 40s, lasts 4-8 years)
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Transitional period leading up to menopause, when estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate significantly.
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Common complaints: Worsening memory, difficulty concentrating, word-finding problems, and mental fog. Some people also experience mood swings, anxiety, and disrupted sleep, all of which can impact cognition.
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Timing: Tend to intensify as you approach menopause.
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Possible causes: Estrogen levels are erratic during perimenopause, causing disruptions in brain regions responsible for memory and attention. Sleep problems (often due to night sweats and hot flashes) and stress can exacerbate cognitive challenges.
Menopause (Typically occurs between ages 45-55)
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Menopause is officially marked when someone has gone 12 consecutive months without a period. At this point, estrogen levels decline sharply.
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Common complaints: Cognitive difficulties may peak during menopause. Memory problems, mental fog, slower processing speeds, and trouble concentrating are frequent issues. People may also experience more pronounced emotional changes, such as irritability and anxiety, which can affect focus and attention.
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Timing: Cognitive symptoms are often most intense during the early stages of menopause.
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Possible causes: The sudden drop in estrogen has a direct impact on brain function, particularly in areas of verbal memory and processing speed. Sleep disturbances (due to hot flashes or anxiety) and mood disorders can also negatively affect cognition.
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Dementia is not inevitable
Understand which dementia risk factors apply to you & how you can go about eliminating them
Be proactive and reduce your risk of Dementia.
MINDer was developed to help people do what they can for an independent tomorrow.
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Find out how you put yourself at risk
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Guidance on risk reduction
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Scientifically backed products to minimise effort
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Educational content
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Frontotemporal (FTD)
40-65 y/o
2 main types give very distictive symptoms:
Behavioural variant FTD
The front of the brain is responsible for 'higher order' thinking and personality, so symptoms are often changes in temperament and implusivity.
This is easily mistaken for other mental health issues such as personality disorders, especially because it occurs in relatively young people.
Primary progressive aphasia (PPA)
Symptoms manifest as a breakdown in the ability to communicate.
This can be difficulty in producing speech, writing and also in understanding written and verbal communication.
Once again caused by a build up of protein specific to the front and side parts of the brain.
Lewy Body
60+ y/o
Early on it can seem similar to Alzheimer's, but there's often key distinctions:
Visual hallucinations
Fulctuating problems with attention makes it hard to see a pattern.
Sleep disturbances especially Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder in which a person seems to act out dreams while asleep.
As it develops, people often experience Parkinsons-like movement issues. "Lewy bodies" refer the build up in proteins that cause both types of Dementia.
Vascular
60+ y/o
Miniture strokes in the brain lead to reduced blood flow, resulting in cell death and therefore dimished capabilities.
Quite often people have 'Mixed dementia' which is a combination of both Alzheimers and Vascular dementia.
The symptoms of vascular dementia depend on the area of the brain that's impacted.
For even rarer forms of Dementia, please visit this page