Dementia is the term doctors use to describe difficulty remembering and thinking that?s serious enough to affect your life. Everyday memory slips, like forgetting an address or the name of a person you haven?t seen in a while shouldn?t be concerning, but getting disoriented in a familiar location or forgetting the name of your spouse can be dementia symptoms.
Several forms of dementia can affect memory, including the most common kind?Alzheimer?s disease. Several early dementia symptoms serve as warning signs. For example, forgetting information you just learned, or having trouble recalling important dates like your child?s birthday can be dementia symptoms. You may have more trouble than usual following directions, including the steps needed to prepare a recipe or sew a quilt.
You?ll increasingly have more trouble doing activities you once took for granted, such as balancing your checkbook or hosting a dinner party. Budgeting and planning skills begin to erode as the condition worsens and dementia symptoms progress. Many people discover they can no longer participate in a conversation, both because they can?t find the right words, and because they can?t follow a train of thought.
Later dementia symptoms include changes in mood and personality. People who were once very calm and even-tempered may become more agitated or angry than usual. They may blow up at friends or family, seemingly for no reason. As their personality changes and social interactions become more difficult, people with dementia may withdraw from work or social situations to avoid embarrassment.
If you notice these or other dementia symptoms in yourself or a loved one, make an appointment with a health care provider. Although there currently is no cure for dementia, treatments can relieve some of the symptoms and help you or your loved one stay independent for as long as possible.
Typically, shiny red sports cars or Harley motorcycles come to mind when you hear the words mid-life crisis. Many wives joke that after 50, their husbands begin losing their minds. But, research indicates the term mild-life crisis may have a whole new meaning. You see, as a man ages, his levels … Read More
You probably know that regular exercise lowers the risk of mild cognitive impairment, or “pre-dementia,” and Alzheimer’s, but do you know which exercise is best for brain health? Step off the treadmill and pick up some iron because newer research shows strength training outperforms aerobics when it comes to improving … Read More
The one supplement most experts recommend to almost everyone—no matter your age, height, weight, or gender—is omega-3 fatty acids. Because of their wide-ranging health benefits, omega-3 supplements are the closest thing we have to a miracle pill. But why? Simply put, omega-3 fatty acids are essential. The body can synthesize … Read More
Forgetfulness—a part of aging as familiar as wrinkles and graying hair—can be a source of worry for many seniors. Is the growing tendency to forget words, recall names, or lose track of car keys normal... or is it an early sign of dementia? The good news is that in most … Read More
People who have Alzheimer’s disease typically go through distinct phases in which symptoms gradually worsen. However, not everyone will go through all of the Alzheimer’s stages, nor progress through them at the same rate. For example, recent research has provided some evidence that in Alzheimer’s disease, the signs of dementia … Read More
Anyone who has seen the effects of Alzheimer's disease on a loved one knows it's a devastating condition—one that that compromises not only the ability to remember and to think but to take care of oneself. But what is Alzheimer’s? The Alzheimer's Association provides a direct and stark definition of … Read More
Do you keep losing your keys, forgetting where you parked your car, or drawing a blank on names of people you just met? Maybe you can’t remember where you left your wallet more often than you’d care to admit. Such lapses of memory tend to get people of a certain … Read More
Lewy body dementia symptoms are often confused for signs of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Both conditions are characterized by declines in thinking skills, and both can lead to mood changes and difficulty communicating. But while AD always results in significant memory loss, Lewy body dementia doesn’t always cause serious memory problems. … Read More
Researchers are exploring new approaches that are increasing scientific understanding of dementia with Lewy bodies (or DLB), also known as lewy body dementia. In one study, the transplantation of stem cells into DLB-damaged areas of the brains of mice revitalized those regions and resulted in dramatic improvements in the animals’ … Read More
Think that morning bagel or pasta dinner is no big deal? Think again. Wheat contains gluten, which may be dangerous even to those that don't have Celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity. But why is gluten bad for you? Studies show eating gluten can cause brain disorders that could ultimately … Read More
