Initial signs of dementia often go unnoticed
People often miss the initial signs of dementia as these are mild and progress at a slower pace. These signs linger in the body for a long time and only when they start affecting a lot then people realize there is something wrong in the way they function.
Human body has a tendency to push itself till the time it becomes totally incapable of functioning.
However, medical science says and urges people to take help from the time they notice abnormality, even if it seems insignificant.
When the discussion is about mental health issues like dementia it is important to check the progress of the disease before it renders the cognitive ability functionless.
What are the first signs of dementia?
Dementia affects the concentration and memory ability of an individual.
The early sign of dementia is a subtle change in the memory and the ability to focus.
Changes like forgetting where things have been placed, unable to remember what you needed to do, unable to recall your routine even when you do it regularly, are few changes one needs to take care of.
Another sign of dementia is the inability to finish a conversation because you struggle to find the right words. It becomes a challenge to continue with the conversation when you have dementia.
Mood change is another indicator that you might be having trouble mental health wise.
The other signs you should be aware of
While communication and memory are the first two and in fact the biggest indicators of dementia, there are certain subtypes of these symptoms which need to be discussed in detail.
One such sign is repetition. Repeating daily tasks like bathing may seem normal initially but it should not be taken lightly.
Another indicator is a failing sense of familiarity. The person finds it difficult to recognise and spot the places or landmarks that are familiar.
Losing track during discussions. People with dementia often get lost in a discussion and are unable to follow the discussion.
An early diagnosis is important
An early diagnosis can save the condition from getting worse. It can help the family and friends to understand the disease.
Managing the disease is easier when the disease is at the beginning stage.
When the disease is detected early, it makes the patient aware of the condition so he/ she can actively participate in the recovery process and make personal efforts as well.
While on one hand it opens up doors to medical treatment which might not be relevant in the later stage of the disease, it also gives the patient a chance to understand the situation and why it is important to get treated. When the patient understands the condition it gets easier to recover from it.
What prevents dementia from getting diagnosed early?
There are several myths that stop dementia from getting diagnosed early.
One of the widely prevalent wrong beliefs is that dementia occurs in old aged people only. This association of the disease with age, widens the gap between diagnosis and the medical treatment available.
The second prevalent myth is that dementia can never be cured. Belief in this myth pulls back many people from visiting a doctor.
Due to the unawareness around mental health and the stigmas that mental health patients face in the society families do not wish to take the patients to hospitals and treat them. They fear being labeled with the wrong tags which are so prevalent in society.
What causes dementia?
While many believe that biological aging is a factor for dementia, the fact is that it can also occur in young people. Cases of young onset of dementia, that is onset of dementia in people younger than 65 years of age, accounts for 9% of the total dementia cases, as per a report by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Other factors that can increase the risk of dementia are social isolation, cognitive inactivity and depression.
"Studies show that people can reduce their risk of cognitive decline and dementia by being physically active, not smoking, avoiding harmful use of alcohol, controlling their weight, eating a healthy diet, and maintaining healthy blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels," the WHO report says.