Dementia Can Sneak Up Long Before Memory Loss: Doctors Identify Early Signs 0 54

Although there is currently no universal cure that completely halts dementia, the disease can be slowed down if the first signals are recognized in time. British specialists highlight eight early signs that may appear long before memory impairments and relate not only to mental health but also to physiological conditions.

1. Tremors in the Hands

This is not only a symptom of Parkinson's disease. In some forms of dementia, a person begins to have worse control over their body, which manifests as fine involuntary tremors.

2. Shuffling Gait

Slowed movements, with feet barely lifting off the ground — a worrying signal of brain dysfunction affecting coordination.

3. Excessive Sweating

Profuse sweating may be related to endocrine disorders, but it is also characteristic of dementia with Lewy bodies.

4. Constipation

Changes in the brain even affect gastrointestinal function — a person often starts experiencing regular constipation.

5. Insomnia

The sleep-wake cycle is disrupted: someone who has always fallen asleep easily suddenly begins to suffer from persistent insomnia.

6. Apathy

A person loses interest in everything: hobbies, socializing, work. Emotional detachment is a common early sign of cognitive impairments.

7. Repetitive Actions

Repeatedly turning lights on and off, multiple attempts to boil a kettle consecutively, inexplicable repetitions of simple actions — a serious reason to consult a specialist.

8. Sudden Mood Swings

A previously calm person suddenly becomes aggressive, suspicious, and emotionally unstable. If this occurs regularly, a doctor's consultation is needed.

Early detection of such signals allows for corrective therapy to begin as soon as possible, significantly slowing the progression of the disease and helping to maintain quality of life for longer.