Signs and Symptoms of dementia
Short-term memory loss is the first sign of dementia. Symptoms are dependent upon the areas of the brain affected. The signs and symptoms can be based on cognitive function and behavioral changes.
The signs and symptoms of cognitive functions are as follows:1
- Decision-making—Unable to make any decision.
- Poor judgment—Unable to react in emergencies.
- Misplacing things—Increased disorientation and confusion, even in familiar surroundings.
- Impairment of movements—Difficulty in walking and other movements such as swallowing, which increases the risk of malnutrition and choking.
- Verbal communication—Unable to remember simple words and substitute some irrelevant words in their speech. This makes it difficult for the listener to understand.
- Abnormal moods—This includes anxiety and depression.
- Complete loss of memory—unable to recognize even close relatives and friends.
Signs and symptoms of behavioral changes include:
- Unable to eat, dress and toileting.
- Avoids and abandons hobbies and interests.
- Unable to perform routine activities.
- Lack of emotional control and inappropriate responses.
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last modified: December 14, 2008