10 early symptoms of dementia, which is important to note

Dementia often confused with memory loss. But forgetfulness, even in the clinical stage - only one of the symptoms of senile dementia. Not only is not mandatoryDementia.

Dementia damaged or destroyed brain cells. And the first in its different partsEarly Stages of Dementia. Someone's really the first thing affected area associated with the storage of memories. In another case, under attack are behavioral functions. In the third cell destruction affects the speed of thought, the ability to speak or to navigate in space.

The further the disease progresses, the more areas of the brain affected. And it does not stop until it completely erases a person's identity.

Senile dementia suffer todayNewsletter about dementia About 50 million people worldwide. Every year, this figure plus new 10 million.

Many types of dementia - from the well-known Alzheimer's disease to a variety of vascular disorders. The bad news - it is not treated. The good: the development of dementia can be suspended, and some of its symptoms

Warning Signs of Dementia smooth almost to extinction. The main thing - time to notice.

What are the early symptoms of dementia

1. Difficulties in finding the right word

"This is the language of spins, but can not remember!" - in such situations it is almost everyone, even young and completely healthy person. It is one thing if these cases - one-time or infrequent, and quite another when they begin to be repeated every day. The deterioration of the ability to select words - one of the earliest and most vivid signs of advancing dementia.

2. participation of forgetfulness

Forget where are the keys or the phone from time to time is normal. But if a person begins to regularly lose things can not remember what had for breakfast or what talked yesterday with a colleague, this is evidence of developing cognitive impairment.

3. Anxiety, suspiciousness

Naive optimism - the property of youth. As we age, we all get a little cynical, pessimistic and cease to believe in the pink pony. This is normal. Bad if yesterday cheerful person suddenly begins to not trust people and to the world, to look around the catch. "A good discount? Surely product has expired! "," A neighbor has treated pie? Probably wants to poison me! "," They offered to take on a new project? Only because of him all the normal people refused! "

Such anxiety and mistrust, especially if they are manifested in the character rather abruptly - too bad sign.

4. Constant mood swings, depression

Damage to brain cells can affect the production of important hormones, including regulating mood. Many patients with dementia in the very initial stage of depression of the disease was observed.

5. personality changes

No matter which way they come. Perhaps yesterday's cheerful extrovert suddenly became grouchy. Or, on the contrary, recently shy man suddenly turned into a too sociable. Any change in the character, temperament, communication - an alarming signal.

6. Violation of orientation in time and space

Regularly you can not remember the number or what day of the week today? Or suddenly found that you forgot a short way to the bus stop, is not realized where the door to the desired account, although there have been there more than once? Somewhere in your brain fails. It is worth to find out where. And if it is not dangerous.

7. Loss of interest in hobbies

Lethargy, it decreased interest in activities that you enjoy many years (be it sports, collecting, beadwork), trying to avoid contact - even with close friends - another symptom of creeping dementia.

8. Aimlessness

The man takes the bag and goes like the store, but returned without shopping. Sometimes, wandering around the house or office back and forth for no apparent purpose. Again and again asks the same question, though it has received an answer. Such behavioral difficulty talking about the loss of capacity for planning and concentration. Which it is also a bad sign.

9. Loss of the ability to follow the logic of the conversation or wordiness

Abnormalities in the brain does not give a person to focus on the topic of conversation. He constantly gets off on extraneous things. For example, in a conversation about the benefits of apples may suddenly hit in the memories, almost non-mainstream story line: "Oh, what I ate delicious apples in the village at the grandparents! She had a huge garden. And house her grandfather had built, all have such men! "

Due loses the ability to articulate thoughts clearly and briefly person has to embark on a lengthy discourse. And in the process he often forgets what, in fact, wanted to say.

10. The tendency to shift constantly, hiding, accumulate items

Hide points to "not lost", and then half a day agonizing search for them around the house. Refuse to be disposed of his technique or broken furniture - "and suddenly come in handy." When progressive dementia similar incidents are becoming more pronounced and regular.

What to do if you notice the early symptoms of dementia

Ideal - remember (preferably even record) all have disturbing symptoms and consult a physician or neurologist. The doctor will listen to you, ask about the lifestyle, look into the personal card and may propose to pass some tests. For example, to pass urine and blood: the level of sugar, thyroid hormones. You may need to do a cardiogram or magnetic resonance imaging of the brain.

The fact that the state of the brain affected by different factors: endocrine disorders, failures in metabolism, anemia, Vitamin deficiencies, blood disorders, side effects from taking drugs. Before talking about the prospects of dementia, the physician should rule out these conditions.

If, nevertheless, your suspicions are confirmed, the specialist will tell you what to do. If necessary, prescribe medications that can support the brain cells and protect them from damage.

In addition, the need to adjust lifestyles. By the way, these same eventsDementia It is effective for the prevention of dementia.

1. move more

Physical activity provides a good blood supply to the brain and helps him recover. More walk, ride a bike and try to devote to training at least 150 minutes per week.

2. communicate

Even through reluctance. Social activity of the brain is necessary as air. It helps it to retain youth and health for longer.

3. Train your brain

Read, solve puzzles and crossword puzzles, learn the Chinese language, follow the news, try to learn something new every day.

4. Quit smoking

there is evidenceSmoking Is Associated with an Increased Risk of Dementia: A Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies with Investigation of Potential Effect ModifiersThat nicotine can increase the risk of dementia and cerebrovascular diseases. This is especially true of those who continue to smoke after the age of 45 years.

5. Get enough sleep

Allow yourself at least 7-8 hours of quality sleep per day. Be sure to seek advice and assistance from a therapist if you have insomnia, you snore or suspect cases of apnea.

6. Watch out for diet

For brain health best food high in vegetables, fruits, fish, nuts, olive oil. ideal Mediterranean diet.

7. Avoid vitamin deficiency

Some studies showVitamin D and the Risk of Dementia: The Rotterdam StudyThat people with low levels of vitamin D in the blood more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Also, experts of the American research organization Mayo Clinic recommend that closely monitor the level of consumption of vitamins B and C.