10 Symptoms of Dementia

 

What is dementia?

Dementia is a collection of symptoms that can occur due to a variety of possible diseases. Dementia symptoms include impairments in thinking, communicating, and memory.
Possible causes of dementia include:

• Alzheimer’s disease, which is the leading cause of dementia
• brain damage due to injury or stroke
• Huntington’s disease
• Lewy body dementia

Part 2 of 4

Symptoms of dementia

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If you or your loved one is experiencing memory problems, don’t immediately conclude that it’s dementia. A person needs to have at least two types of impairment that significantly interfere with everyday life to receive a dementia diagnosis.
In addition to difficulty remembering, the person may also experience impairments in:

• language
• communication
• focus
• reasoning

Subtle short-term memory changes

Trouble with memory can be an early symptom of dementia. The changes are often subtle and tend to involve short-term memory. An older person may be able to remember events that took place years ago but can’t remember what they had for breakfast.
Other symptoms of changes in short-term memory include forgetting where they left an item, struggling to remember why they entered a particular room, or forgetting what they were supposed to do on any given day.

Difficulty finding the right words

Another early symptom of dementia is struggling to communicate thoughts. A person with dementia may have difficulty explaining something or finding the right words to express themselves. Having a conversation with a person who has dementia can be difficult, and it may take longer than usual to conclude.

Changes in mood

A change in mood is also common with dementia. If you have dementia, it isn’t always easy to recognize this in yourself, but you may notice this change in someone else. Depression, for instance, is typical of early dementia.
Along with mood changes, you might also see a shift in personality. One typical type of personality change seen with dementia is a shift from being shy to outgoing. This is because the condition often affects judgment.

Apathy

Apathy, or listlessness, commonly occurs in early dementia. A person with symptoms could lose interest in hobbies or activities. They may not want to go out anymore or do anything fun. They may lose interest in spending time with friends and family, and they may seem emotionally flat.

Difficulty completing normal tasks

A subtle shift in the ability to complete normal tasks may indicate that someone has early dementia. This usually starts with difficulty doing more complex tasks like balancing a checkbook or playing games that have a lot of rules.
Along with the struggle to complete familiar tasks, they may struggle to learn how to do new things or follow new routines.

Confusion

Someone in the early stages of dementia may often become confused. When memory, thinking, or judgment lapses, confusion may arise as they can no longer remember faces, find the right words, or interact with people normally.
Confusion can occur for a number of reasons and apply to different situations. For example, they may misplace their car keys, forget what comes next in the day, or have difficulty remembering someone they’ve met before.

Difficulty following storylines

Difficulty following storylines may occur due to early dementia. This is a classic early symptom.
Just as finding and using the right words becomes difficult, people with dementia sometimes forget the meanings of words they hear or struggle to follow along with conversations or TV programs.

A failing sense of direction

The sense of direction and spatial orientation commonly starts to deteriorate with the onset of dementia. This can mean not recognizing once-familiar landmarks and forgetting regularly used directions. It also becomes more difficult to follow a series of directions and step-by-step instructions.

Being repetitive

Repetition is common in dementia because of memory loss and general behavioral changes. The person may repeat daily tasks, such as shaving, or they may collect items obsessively.
They also may repeat the same questions in a conversation after they’ve been answered.

Struggling to adapt to change

For someone in the early stages of dementia, the experience can cause fear. Suddenly, they can’t remember people they know or follow what others are saying. They can’t remember why they went to the store, and they get lost on the way home.
Because of this, they might crave routine and be afraid to try new experiences. Difficulty adapting to change is also a typical symptom of early dementia.

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Part 3 of 4

When to see a doctor

Forgetfulness and memory problems don't automatically point to dementia. These are normal parts of aging and can also occur due to other factors, such as fatigue. Still, you shouldn't ignore the symptoms. If you or someone you know is experiencing a number of dementia symptoms that aren’t improving, talk with a doctor.
They can refer you to a neurologist who can examine you or your loved one’s physical and mental health and determine whether the symptoms result from dementia or another cognitive problem. The doctor may order:

• a complete series of memory and mental tests
• a neurological exam
• blood tests
• brain imaging tests

Dementia is more common in people over the age of 65, but it can also affect younger people. Early onset of the disease can begin as young as the 30s, 40s, or 50s. With treatment and early diagnosis, you can slow the progression of the disease and maintain mental function. The treatments may include medications, cognitive training, and therapy.

Part 4 of 4

Can you prevent dementia?

You can take steps to improve cognitive health and reduce your or your loved one’s risk. This includes keeping the mind active with word puzzles, memory games, and reading. Being physically active, getting at least 150 minutes of exercise per week, and making other healthy lifestyle changes can also lower your risk. Examples of lifestyle changes include stopping smoking if you smoke and eating a diet rich in:

• omega-3 fatty acids
• fruits
• vegetables
• whole grains

You can also reduce your risk by increasing your intake of vitamin D. According to the Mayo Clinic, some researchers suggest that “people with low levels of vitamin D in their blood are more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia."

Dementia is not a specific illness or disease. It involves a variety of symptoms associated with impaired thinking, memory, and communication.
To have a diagnosis of dementia, the decline in functioning must affect a person's ability to perform everyday activities.
This article will look at several types of dementia, and how they change as the condition progresses.

Contents of this article:

1. Types of dementia
2. How do symptoms of dementia change over time?
3. How do treatment options change over time?
4. Diagnosis and outcome
5. Living with dementia in the later stages

Types of dementia

Beta-amyloid plaques may be found in the brain of people with Alzheimer's disease.

Dementia may have different causes. Changes to the brain depend on the type of dementia a person has. Common types of dementia include Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, and mixed dementia.

Alzheimer's disease

The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer's disease. According to the Alzheimer's Association, between 60 and 80 percent of dementia is caused by Alzheimer's.
It is not entirely clear what causes Alzheimer's, but clumps of a protein called beta-amyloid are found in the brain of people with this type of dementia.

Vascular dementia

Vascular dementia may occur when there is reduced circulation to the brain due to a stroke or other conditions, resulting in damage to the blood vessels in the brain.

Dementia with Lewy bodies

Dementia with Lewy bodies happens when abnormal proteins develop in the brain, called Lewy bodies. The protein deposits may be found throughout the brain, including the cerebral cortex, the area involved in language and thinking.

Mixed dementia

Mixed dementia involves more than one cause. Blood vessel problems may be present along with abnormal proteins in the brain, for example.

How do symptoms of dementia change over time?

Regardless of the cause, symptoms of dementia tend to worsen over time.
The rate of progression varies from person to person. Genetics, age, and overall health may play a role in how fast the disease progresses.

Early symptoms

Dementia often, but not always, starts with a mild decline in the ability to think. For example, someone may forget a recent conversation or the name of a familiar object.
At this point, the decrease in memory may not greatly affect a person's ability to function daily.
Early symptoms may also include a decreased ability to perform certain tasks, such as paying bills or following a recipe. Subtle changes in personality may also be noticed by people close to an individual with dementia.
At this stage, a person with dementia may start to realize something is not right, but they may choose to hide their symptoms.

Moderate dementia symptoms

Dementia may start with a decrease in memory.

As dementia progresses, symptoms become harder to hide. More noticeable symptoms may develop. Help with self-care or everyday activities may be needed.
Personality changes may become more noticeable. The person may experience paranoia or fear. Symptoms may include increased confusion and memory loss.
People with moderate dementia commonly forget their address or other personal information, including their phone number. Sleep patterns and mood may change.

Late-stage or severe dementia symptoms

Gradually, dementia can progress and become severe. Memory is often significantly affected. Someone with dementia may not recognize family members.
During late-stage dementia, symptoms may include an inability to communicate, walk, and control bowel and bladder function.
A person with late-stage dementia may have muscle rigidity and abnormal reflexes. Full-time personal care is usually needed for eating, bathing, and dressing. People with severe dementia are vulnerable to infections, including pneumonia and bed sores.

How do treatment options change over time?

Currently, there is no cure for dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, but there are treatments. Treatment usually aims to decrease symptoms and manage behavioral changes.
Treatment may also change over time. Different classifications of medication may be prescribed, based on the stage of the disease.
Medications may reduce symptoms by affecting chemicals that carry messages to the brain cells.
These drugs are called cholinesterase inhibitors. They are often prescribed for people with mild to moderate symptoms. Cholinesterase inhibitors treat symptoms associated with confusion, communication, and memory.
In people with moderate-to-severe dementia, treatment may also include memantine. Memantine is a drug that may help improve language, thinking, and memory.
Memantine works by regulating glutamate, a chemical in the brain that is involved in memory and learning. Memantine may delay the progression of symptoms temporarily for some people.
Treatment options may include medications that reduce behavioral changes, such as anxiety and sleep problems.
In later stages, different medications may be needed, as symptoms develop. Particular drugs may be recommended to treat specific symptoms, such as fear, restlessness, and hallucinations.
As dementia progresses, treatment may also focus on improving the quality of life. For example, occupational therapy may be useful to teach people with dementia how to use adaptive equipment or to improve fine motor skills.

Diagnosis and outcome

A person with an early diagnosis of dementia may want to communicate their wishes for future care as soon as they can.

No single test can determine if a person has dementia. Tests will focus on the ability to think and neurological evaluation.
Tests evaluate skills such as reasoning, language, and memory. Movement, balance, and visual perception are also examined.
A medical history and blood tests can help to rule out other causes of symptoms.
Imaging studies, such as a CT or PET scan, can determine if a specific protein is deposited in the brain, or if there is any interruption to the blood flow to the brain.
Dementia scales can help to decide if dementia is present, and how far it has progressed.
The Global Deterioration Scale may be used to determine the severity of overall dementia.
Ratings range from one to seven, where seven indicates the most severe stage. A combination of tests may be used to make an assessment.
The outlook for people with dementia varies. Age at diagnosis and response to treatment affect how the condition progresses.
People with Alzheimer's dementia often live for about 10 years after diagnosis, according to the Mayo Clinic.
However, everyone is different. Some people with dementia survive 20 years or more after diagnosis.

Living with dementia in the later stages

It may be helpful for a person with dementia to be involved in decisions about their care before they become unable to communicate their wishes.
Advanced care planning allows an individual with dementia to state what they want and do not want, such as living in a nursing home or being cared for at home.
Living with late-stage dementia can often be challenging for patients and caregivers. As symptoms progress, more care is required.
Strategies that may help someone with late-stage dementia include techniques to jog memory, such as visual clues or notes.
Assistive technology devices include communications aids, automatic shutoff devices, and computerized recall devices.
Caregivers should create an environment that is calm and safe. It is important to identify and correct safety concerns. This includes removing tripping hazards and making sure rooms are easy to get around.
Caregivers should also ensure that medication is taken correctly, and that nutritional needs are met. Late-stage dementia can also be a difficult time for caregivers. Having a strong support system and allowing time to recharge is essential.

Written by MaryAnn de Pietro