Brain expert's Alzheimer's warning over dangerous symptom other than memory loss
A brain expert has issued an Alzheimer's disease warning over early signs other than memory loss.
Dementia classification can be difficult to diagnose as many symptoms can be conflated with other issues or mirror other conditions, such as depression, stress, or clumsiness. Initially, memory loss can be mild but - in the case of late-stage Alzheimer's - it escalates in severity as the disease worsens gradually over the course of time.
And while such memory loss and forgetfulness are key and debilitating symptoms of the disease, other neurodegenerative signs could be missed or confused despite manifesting in an outwardly physical way. Experts have now warned over a person's changing ability to judge distances and spacing - known as visuospatial skills.
These skills could decline over time and may present in the form of tripping up stairs, knocking items over or injuries caused by bumping into and off objects - or even parking a car. The Alzheimer's Society said: "A person with dementia may also have ‘visuospatial difficulties’, when the brain has problems processing information about 3D objects. This can affect a person’s spatial awareness or the ability to judge distances. They may have difficulties using stairs, parking a car or recognising objects."
Retinal scans, research from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences suggests, can spot the change in blood vessels and can be another warning sign related to a potential Alzheimers' diagnosis (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Visual loss, according to Dr Jørn Slot Jørgensen, of Laser Eye Clinic London, can be another early red flag for dementia. The symptoms can be "subtle" and, therefore, difficult to spot. Previous research has detailed that vision issues may be the "first" sign of dementia.
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Retinal scans, research from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences suggests, can spot the change in blood vessels and can be another warning sign related to a potential Alzheimer's diagnosis. "Some people think that visiting an ophthalmologist is only necessary if you have an eye condition or need vision correction. However, this is a widespread misconception that also applies to medical situations in general", Dr. Jørgensen told The Express.
"In fact, an ophthalmologist might be the first physician to diagnose a medical condition because the initial signs may appear in the eye." These symptoms may involve issues differentiating colours, trouble with reading or writing, hallucinations, and difficulty remembering faces, places or objects.
The expert stressed, however, that how early and severe certain warning signs can be varies from person to person. "In some cases, these signs may be subtle and may not be immediately recognisable. However, in other cases, they may become noticeable enough to prompt further investigation," he said.
"If you notice any warning signs in the eyes, it’s crucial to take immediate action and speak to your GP." Meanwhile, keeping your eyes in good health could also potentially reduce the risk of Alzheimer's - the most common cause of dementia, he added.
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