Today we’ll talk about the six early signs of dementia. Before we begin, it’s important to note that these signs can also be symptoms of other conditions, such as sleep deprivation, blood sugar problems, or other various factors, and are not necessarily related to dementia.
Dementia is a mental decline in which parts of the brain, including the hippocampus, begin to shrink. Here are the early signs to look out for:
Difficulty organizing and planning
Difficulty organizing and planning can be an early sign of dementia. However, it’s important to remember that this problem can occur for many other reasons, such as stress or lack of sleep.
Changes in personality
Personality changes can also indicate the onset of dementia. Again, these changes can be due to other factors, so it’s important not to jump to conclusions.
constipation
Perhaps surprisingly, constipation can be an early sign of dementia due to the close connection between the brain and the gut. An imbalance in the gut microbiome can affect cognitive function.
Sensory dysfunction
Problems with the senses such as smell, taste, hearing, vision, and even appetite can be signs of cognitive decline. It can also manifest as difficulty concentrating and memory problems.
Language problems
Difficulty finding the right words, unintentional repetition of words or phrases, and confusion of words can be warning signs. This is often related to a problem with the hippocampus.
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