“5 Lesser-Known Symptoms of Dementia You Shouldn’t Ignore”

Although memory loss is one of the most well-known symptoms of dementia, it is not the only sign that can indicate the disease.
Emma Hewett, head of the Dementia Center in London, emphasizes that there are other, lesser-known manifestations of the disease that should be looked out for. It is a:

• Changes in behavior – the patient may start behaving differently, repeating the same actions and questions over and over again.
• Loss of confidence
• Withdrawal and reluctance to spend time with friends and family – Due to memory problems caused by the disease, people with dementia can become confused, unable to recognize family members and familiar people, which can lead to withdrawal and avoidance of spending time together.
• Disturbed sleep or vivid dreams – Dementia can cause rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder, which means you start physically reliving vivid, often unpleasant dreams. A review published in The International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry found that at least one form of sleep disturbance is commonly seen in as many as 90 percent of people with dementia.
• Problems understanding and using money – According to the National Institute on Aging, people with dementia may have problems counting money, paying for purchases, or understanding a bank statement. In addition, repeated financial mistakes can be one of the first signs of the disease.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 55 million people worldwide suffer from dementia, a disease that affects memory, language and cognitive abilities, significantly reducing the quality of life.

It is important to note that dementia is not a single disease; it is a general term – much like heart disease – that covers a wide range of specific medical conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease. Diseases grouped under the term ‘dementia’ are caused by abnormal changes in the brain,” according to the Alzheimer’s Association.