Six dementia signs that can develop when you're just 30-years-old
People are being warned that dementia can be “tricky to spot” as it varies so much, but there are six signs to look out for and they can start in your early 30s, said an expert.
There are currently around 900,000 people living with dementia in the UK and this figure could rise as high as 1.6 million by 2040. It means that somebody is developing dementia every three minutes this year, according to Alzheimer’s Society.
Researchers are looking at ways to beat dementia and there are many drug trials underway with the hope of slowing its progression but there is no cure for the condition. And simply to diagnose dementia is difficult as it tends to differ from person to person.
But Bernadette Mossman, of Vida Healthcare, has said that there are some signs to look out for. "Dementia is a syndrome associated with a decline in cognitive function and ability to remember that impairs daily living, to a point where a person is no longer independent," she said.
"Not only are there several different types of dementia [over 200 subtypes] but symptoms can vary from person to person, which can make it tricky to spot.” She added: "However, there are some common signs that you should be aware of."
Family of great-great-gran, 83, killed by dog call for Bully breed to be banned
These range from the sign of dementia most people associate the condition to, memory loss, to difficulty concentrating and mood changes. Some people may notice that they have early signs if they start finding it difficult to follow a conversation, get confused about where they are or simply doing familiar daily tasks.
"Sadly, there’s currently no cure or treatment to help people recover from dementia," Ms Mossman told the Express. "But appropriate approaches can still ensure people living with dementia live well and have a good quality of life."
Six early dementia signs
1. Memory loss
2. Difficulty concentrating
3. Mood changes
4. Struggling to follow a conversation
5. Confusion about time and place
6. Difficulty with carrying out familiar tasks
While dementia is logically seen as a condition that affects elderly people, people as young as aged 30 can also develop the illness. "When a person develops dementia before the age of 65, this is known as 'young-onset dementia', or 'early-onset dementia'," said Ms Mossman.
Ten tips to deal with life and help your loved ones after Alzheimer's diagnosis
And anybody who believes they could be suffering from dementia is advised to book a doctor's appointment where they can be given a variety of different tests. Unfortunately medication and treatment can only delay the onset of dementia.
Ms Mossman also has some advice for dementia patients when they reach the latter stages of the condition. "Performing arts, painting, and even animal therapy, can provide meaningful and enjoyable activities for people living with dementia," she said.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
