Mild forgetfulness is normal among people of all age groups.
We all have days when we cannot find our wallet or car keys or cannot remember the name of our ex-colleague we suddenly met after years.
It is termed problematic when it turns severe and starts interfering with our daily activities. With age, we become more prone to develop mental health conditions known as dementia.
It is not a specific disease, but a group of conditions characterised by impairment of at least two brain functions, such as memory loss and judgement.
Studies suggest that before the onset of dementia, there are some subtle warning signs.
Although, there is no cure for this mental health condition nor it can be prevented, starting the treatment early can help you manage it in a better way.
Here are 5 early warning signs of dementia.
1. Inability to detect speech
According to a new study carried out by the Oxford researchers, inability to detect speech in a noisy surrounding can also signify the increased risk of dementia. Inability to detect speech can be generally considered to be a sign of hearing impairment, but Oxford researchers have linked it with dementia as well. According to the researchers, those who struggled to hear in the loud environment were twice as likely to get dementia as those who had no difficulty in hearing.
2. Memory loss
Memory loss is one of the initial symptoms of dementia. A person on the verge of developing this condition often finds it difficult to recall information. They rely on family and friends to keep a track of such details. People who occasionally forget about an incident and later recall it is not characterised as dementia. It is just an age-related issue.
3. Finding it hard to carry out familiar daily tasks
With dementia, carrying out even basic tasks like making a cup of tea and operating a computer becomes difficult. These are some tasks you may have done for several years yet find it challenging to complete. You may face this difficulty at work or home.
4. Struggling to follow a conversation or find the right word
People with dementia may also find it hard to engage in conversation or put their thoughts into words. They may forget what they were talking about or what the other person else has said. Holding a conversation with such a person can be difficult, and it may take longer to conclude. Many people even start to spell incorrectly or make grammatical mistakes or their handwriting becomes difficult to read.
5. Mood change
You can easily identify the signs of dementia by the frequent mood change. Sometimes you may feel jolly and full of life while others may look grim. There would be a gradual shift in the personality, which would be quite evident. People suffering from depression are also at risk of developing this condition.
