As of: February 29, 2024, 10:15 p.m
By: Natalie Hull-Deichsel
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Forgetfulness is not the only sign of early dementia.
There are a variety of symptoms that those affected may not associate with dementia.
According to the
German Alzheimer Society,
around 1.8 million people in Germany live with dementia, most of whom have Alzheimer's dementia.
Risk factors that can promote the disease include hearing loss, high blood pressure, excessive alcohol consumption and social isolation.
What signs and symptoms can indicate the onset of dementia
In dementia, nerve cells die over time, leading to a progressive decline in mental abilities and associated symptoms.
© Andrew Brookes/Imago
Perceptual disorders, such as difficulties in recognizing contrasts and spatial dimensions as well as delusions and hallucinations, can occur as early symptoms of dementia, especially in Lewy body dementia.
Forgetfulness and inattention are typical symptoms of early dementia, in which those affected forget important appointments, have to organize their everyday life using memory aids and have problems assigning names to familiar faces.
This is in contrast to normal cognitive changes, where forgotten information can often be recalled later, according to the
Alzheimer's Research Initiative.
v.
Dementia is manifested by increasing confusion and impaired judgment, in which those affected suddenly want to wear winter boots or a hat in warm weather, for example, as described by the
Neurologists and Psychiatrists portal online
.
Depression and dementia influence each other, as people with depression are up to six times more likely to develop dementia, while people with dementia are up to 50 percent more likely to experience depressive phases with sleep disorders and a loss of appetite.
People with dementia often have sleep disorders and a disturbed sleep-wake rhythm due to dying nerve cells in the brain, which means they have difficulty falling asleep, are restless at night and can wander around.
REM sleep behavior disorder, in which people dream violently and hit or kick, can indicate an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia or Parkinson's years in advance, according to a study.
Sudden personality changes, such as irritable mood, aggressive behavior and severe mood swings for no apparent reason, can indicate the onset of dementia, with relatives usually noticing the personality changes and expressing suspicion.
Developing dementia can lead to a loss of sense of smell and a reduced sense of taste, similar to Parkinson's disease.
People with dementia have difficulty following and actively participating in a conversation, which can lead to repeated sentences, word-finding problems and inappropriate filler words, according to the
Alzheimer Research Initiative.
v.
People with dementia have difficulty finding their way in new and familiar environments and have problems with spatial and temporal orientation, for example by forgetting the seasons and times or no longer knowing the way home.
People with dementia develop difficulty with cognitive tasks such as calculating change, filling out forms, and reading prescriptions, resulting in decreased concentration and increased time demands.
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This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Our editorial team is not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions.