Memory loss is usually one of the signs most associated with dementia, but it is not the only warning. Other symptoms may appear before a more advanced diagnosis and, in some cases, go unnoticed because they do not appear to be linked to the brain.
Doctor warns of early signs of dementia beyond memory
Memory loss is usually one of the signs most associated with dementia, but it is not the only warning. Other symptoms may appear before a more advanced diagnosis and, in some cases, go unnoticed because they do not...
In an interview with The Mirror, doctor Johannes Uys, from Broadgate General Practice, pointed out early signs that deserve attention, including physical changes.
According to the specialist, symptoms can vary from one person to another. Therefore, when you notice persistent changes in yourself or someone close to you, it is best to seek medical evaluation.
Among the signs cited are unstable gait, lack of coordination, tremors in the limbs and difficulty performing simple daily tasks.
The doctor remembers that the risk factors for dementia are varied. Some, like age, cannot be avoided. Others, however, can be reduced with lifestyle changes.
Changes in diet can also be a sign
Changes in eating behavior may also indicate an early stage of dementia, especially in the case of frontotemporal dementia, which affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain.
One of the possible signs is the sudden preference for sweets and carbohydrates, abandoning a balanced diet. Neurologists believe this change may be linked to the loss of taste sensitivity.
Nutritionist Joice Abreu explained to Metrópoles that, in cognitive decline, the brain starts to send messages to the body in a different way. As a result, the perception of taste and thirst can be altered.
Other symptoms that deserve attention include inappropriate social behavior, loss of empathy, insensitivity to other people's feelings, carelessness with personal hygiene, difficulty forming sentences and episodes of uncontrollable laughing or crying.
Dementia is a term used to describe a set of diseases characterized by cognitive changes, which may involve memory loss, changes in language and disorientation in time or space.
Although many forms of dementia still have no cure, studies indicate that some cases can be prevented or delayed with early diagnosis and control of risk factors.
According to the World Health Organization, around 47.5 million people live with dementia worldwide. The estimate is that the number will reach 75.6 million in 2030 and could almost triple by 2050, reaching 135.5 million.
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Source: Noticias ao Minuto - Ultima Hora
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