Senile Dementia: 8 Symptoms To Know
The senile dementia is a syndrome, in general degenerative type, characterized by the progressive loss of cognitive functions.
The latter concern the memory, the intellect and the skills necessary to complete a large number of daily activities.
The dementia is a deterioration which goes beyond the normal consequences of aging. Furthermore, it is a reaction to other diseases that affect the brain at the primary or secondary level.
Today it is one of the diseases that creates more disability and dependence among older adults.
Although several methods have been developed to live with it more easily, it continues to be a huge burden to carry, both for patients who suffer from it and for their family members and those who care for them.
According to data collected by the World Health Organization, there are 47.5 million people in the world suffering from dementia, and the number of diagnosed cases increases by 7.7 million every year.
The most worrying aspect is that many continue to ignore this disease, although it is relatively common, and do not know how to identify it in time during its development.
Since identifying the symptoms is critical to acting appropriately, today we want to share with you the 8 main traits of the development of senile dementia.
Discover them with us!
1. Senile dementia and difficulty finding words
One of the earliest signs of dementia is the difficulty in finding the exact words with which to express thoughts.
Patients starting to develop a form of senile dementia can spend several minutes searching for a specific word they don’t remember. Even though they’ve already said it, they don’t seem to know it.
2. Problems in the perception of time
People at high risk of suffering from this disease have great difficulty in perceiving the past, the present and the future.
Often, when talking to them about the weather, they don’t seem to understand what it means or they tend to get confused.
3. Short-term memory problems
Short-term memory problems may seem very common, in fact they are an early indication of brain wear due to dementia.
Not being able to remember important events or facts that happened only a few hours or days before indicates some problem in the brain.
Another clue is the typical case where, upon entering a room or arriving at a place, the person has forgotten why he is there.
4. Mood swings
Because of the chemical changes in the brain in the case of dementia, people with dementia tend to easily fall into depressed or highly irritated moods .
Sudden changes in personality or behavior can indicate a deterioration in cognitive function.
5. Difficulty completing daily activities
Another of the first signs observable in people with dementia is the difficulty in completing daily and ordinary activities that, before, they did every day.
A person who is losing some cognitive skills is no longer able to perform many of the tasks assigned to him at work, to drive in a known place or to do housework.
6. Inability to recognize places
As dementia progresses, people begin to have more difficulty recognizing where they usually move. They may feel confused or lost even in their home.
Not remembering why they entered a room or not knowing where they are is a very strong sign of the onset of dementia.
7. Lethargy
The deterioration of cognitive functions brings with it a series of chemical reactions that manifest themselves both in the mood and in the ability to maintain certain physical abilities.
One consequence of this is that the person begins to feel more tired than normal after engaging in activities that they previously enjoyed, for no apparent reason.
8. Difficulty in writing
Just as problems arise in finding words and speaking, sufferers of this syndrome often have difficulty writing, which they did not have before.
Changes in handwriting and problems with expression through handwriting are a warning sign that should not be underestimated.
Although in many cases dementia cannot be prevented or blocked, identifying the signs is essential to find as soon as possible a treatment that helps the patient and his family to live with this problem.
The earlier this cognitive impairment is identified, the more chances there are of having a good quality of life.
