'First signs' of dementia that could easily be mistaken for something else

13 September 2023 , 13:46

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People are being warned of a first symptom of dementia (Image: Getty Images)

The public is being warned to look out for the earliest sign of dementia; everyday memory lapses.

With an ageing population, the number of people affected by dementia is increasing and there are currently more than 944,000 in the UK who have the condition. One in 11 people over the age of 65 have dementia and it is estimated that by 2030 there will be more than one million with the condition.

For those getting older, it is a cause of worry that they may get dementia and while there is no cure, an early diagnosis can slow it down in some cases. Early dementia is considered anything before the age of 65, but it can affect people as young as 30.

The first symptom normally spotted in somebody with dementia is a lapse in memory. The NHS states: "It's normal for your memory to be affected by stress, tiredness, certain illnesses and medicines. But if you're becoming increasingly forgetful, particularly if you're over the age of 65, it's a good idea to talk to a GP about the early signs of dementia.”

Abbas Kanani, pharmacist at Chemist Click Online Pharmacy, said memory lapses that have an impact on people’s everyday lives are a symptom of dementia.

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“Usually, one of the first signs is memory lapses which interrupt everyday life. Forgetting newly learned information, important dates, repeating the same questions over and over, and increasingly needing to rely on reminders such as notes or electronic devices,” he told the Express. “Challenges with planning or solving problems and difficulty completing tasks may also increase in frequency.”

Some common early symptoms such as forgetfulness and memory issues may appear some time before a diagnosis of dementia, and can lead to symptoms being missed or attributed to other lifestyle factors, such as stress or tiredness, warned Mr Kanani. He added: “You might not notice these symptoms if you have them, and family and friends may not notice or take them seriously for some time.”

Symptoms of dementia

Dementia symptoms may include problems with:

• memory loss
• thinking speed
• mental sharpness and quickness
• language, such as using words incorrectly, or trouble speaking
• understanding
• judgement
• mood
• movement
• difficulties doing daily activities

Dementia is not only about memory loss; and can also affect the way you speak, think, feel and behave, explains the NHS. Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia, as is vascular dementia. "It's also important to remember that dementia is not a natural part of ageing. Dementia is a syndrome (a group of related symptoms) associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning. There are many different causes of dementia, and many different types," the NHS added.

Tim Hanlon