Dementia: Doctor outlines changes to help prevent disease
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Dementia is the name given to symptoms linked to reduced memory and decision-making, and it’s very common. But spotting the condition early could help to slow down its development.
There are a number of different types of dementia, and the most common in the UK is Alzheimer’s disease.
About 850,000 people in the UK have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and that number is expected to increase.
Making some small lifestyle changes could lower your chances of developing Alzheimer’s in later life.
There are seven typical early signs of the condition that everyone should be watching out for.
These symptoms might not be particularly obvious at first, because they develop quite slowly, warned charity Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Memory problems, for example, can be difficult to separate from a normal part of ageing.
It’s more likely to be caused by Alzheimer’s disease if your memory problems are combined with one or more symptoms.
You should speak to a doctor straight away if you, or someone you know, develops the signs of Alzheimer’s.
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“Alzheimer’s often develops slowly over several years, so symptoms are not always obvious at first,” it said.
“A loss of interest and enjoyment in day-to-day activities can often be one of the first changes, but this can be subtle and may be mistaken for other conditions such as depression.
“In the early stages of the disease, it can also be difficult to distinguish memory problems associated with Alzheimer’s from mild forgetfulness that can be seen in normal ageing.
“Diagnosing Alzheimer’s is important. It means you can get the right support and treatments. It also means you can plan for the future. If you are worried about your memory or health, you should talk to your doctor.”
Seven typical early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease
- Memory problems – forgetting recent events, names, faces
- Repetitiveness – asking the same questions, repeating unusual behaviours or routines
- Misplacing items – regularly losing everyday objects, putting them in strange places
- Confusion – easily confused with times of the day or events
- Navigation – easily getting lost, losing sense of navigation
- Communication – struggling to find the right words, losing train of thought
- Mood changes – becoming more anxious or irritable, loss of self-confidence
There’s no certain way to prevent dementia from developing, but there are ways to lower your risk, said the NHS.
Eating a healthy, balanced diet should help to lower your chances of developing dementia.
It’s also important to do enough exercise. Everyone should aim to do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity every week.
The condition affects one in every six people over 80 years old.
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