Dementia is a hugely common condition in the UK, with around 900,000 people currently living with it.
And with that figure expected to rise to 1.6 million by 2040, it's important to be aware of some of the early signs and symptoms of the condition.
Dementia often describes a selection of factors linked to a decline in cognitive function, such as problems with thinking, speaking and remembering things.
But there are other, more subtle changes to personalities that appear and are often brushed off.
The Mirror reports that Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. Personal physician and private home-visiting GP Dr Suhail Hussain says: “There may well be subtle changes in personality in all types of dementia before memory loss occurs.”
The doctor shared the following red flags that could signal someone has the brain condition.
Sense of humour changes
The doctor said: “Finding more crude things funny and lack of appreciation of satire or laughing inappropriately, e.g. if someone hurt themselves, may be associated with semantic dementia.”
This form is a progressive loss of being able to remember the meaning of words, faces and objects. Dr Hussain said: “If you as a carer/relative identify any of these symptoms then get the individual seen by their GP.
“They can do some baseline bloods and a physical assessment to check if there is anything else like delirium or depression which may be accounting for the changes noted.
“The GP can also carry out an in-surgery cognitive assessment. If they find anything or feel that further assessment is necessary, they can refer [the person] to a memory clinic, where more detailed testing, including MRI can be undertaken.”
Persistent low mood
Dr Hussain says people with dementia can appear sad and show a lack of interest in activities they once enjoyed.
The Alzheimer’s Society says this can happen when a person notices they are finding certain things harder to do, including keeping up with conversations.
Increased irritability
People with dementia can have a short temper and start snapping at others, as well as getting easily annoyed. The charity says that aggressive behaviour can be physical - such as hitting and throwing things, and/or verbal, such as bad language and making threats.
Psychotic traits
Dr Hussain says symptoms such as hearing and seeing things that aren't really there are particularly prevalent in those with what's known as Lewy body dementia.
The National Institute on Ageing says Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a disease associated with abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein in the brain.
These deposits, called Lewy bodies, affect chemicals in the brain whose changes, in turn, can lead to problems with thinking, movement, behaviour, and mood. This type of dementia is characterised by hallucinations.
Judgemental comments
The doctor said: “Former prejudices that were kept under control may surface, e.g: judgemental or racist comments etc.”
This sort of behaviour is often associated with frontotemporal dementia, which causes problems with behaviour and language.
Feeling disorientated
Another red flag sign of dementia is when someone shows signs of disorientation surrounding people, places or time.
Dr Hussain explained this behaviour often linked to vascular dementia, which is triggered by reduced blood flow to the brain.
Five golden rules to cut dementia risk
Keeping physically and mentally active, and getting enough sleep are among five ways to reduce the risk of developing dementia by a fifth, says a top professor.
Quitting smoking, losing weight and getting more social interaction can also help to stave off the life-altering syndrome.
While genetic factors are out of our control, renowned researcher, Prof Sir Muir Gray, says we can still help ourselves.
He said: “Dementia is a terrifying prospect, but we can all reduce our risk and should act now".
These are the five ways to reduce the risk of developing dementia:
1. Keep mind and body active: avoid sitting still and take regular exercise such as walking; keep mentally fit by reading and learning something new.
2. Keep weight, blood sugar and blood pressure down: eat a diet packed with fruit, vegetables, fish, nuts and pulses.
3. Stop smoking: singly the greatest way to damage your health.
4. Sleep better and learn to relax and reduce stress: you don’t need less sleep as you grow older, but more.
5. Engage with others: become a volunteer and join online social groups.
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