Health and Me

Itisha Arya

This Common Cold Like Symptom Might Actually Be An Early Sign Of Dementia

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An early sign of <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/dementia">dementia</a></span> can sometimes look like a common winter-related issue. When this symptom appears along with other warning signals, it may be wise to speak to a doctor. Dementia is a syndrome marked by a collection of related symptoms that point to a gradual decline in brain function. Over time, this can affect memory, behaviour, thinking, and even movement. In its early phase, however, dementia often shows up through subtle changes that are easy to overlook or mistake for something less serious.

<h2>This <span rel="noindex"><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/common-cold">Common Cold</a></span> Like Symptom Might Actually Be An Early Sign of Dementia</h2>

Dementia UK notes that one possible early indicator of dementia is “low mood, anxiety or depression”. Its specialists explain: “In the early stages of dementia, people often begin to notice symptoms that interfere with day-to-day life.” The difficulty is that low mood or depression can also be linked to seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a form of depression that tends to appear during winter and ease as the days become longer and brighter.

<h2>Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)</h2>

The NHS lists the following possible symptoms of SAD:

<ul><li>Low mood</li><li>Loss of interest in activities you usually enjoy</li><li>Feelings of guilt, hopelessness or worthlessness</li><li>Feeling restless, tense or easily irritated</li><li>Problems with concentration</li><li>Increased appetite and eating more than usual</li><li>Feeling very tired and sleeping more than usual</li><li>Thoughts of suicide or self-harm</li></ul>

<h2>Dementia Early Symptoms</h2>Dementia UK also highlights other possible <span>early signs of <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/dementia">dementia</a></span>, including:

<ul><li>Problems with memory and concentration</li><li>Difficulties with language and communication, such as struggling to find words or follow conversations</li><li>Difficulties with planning, problem-solving and making decisions</li><li>Getting lost in familiar places because of problems with orientation and reduced ability to recognise usual cues, such as signs or landmarks</li><li>Changes in behaviour and personality, such as becoming more withdrawn or less patient</li></ul>

<h2>How Early Symptoms May Differ Between Dementia Types</h2>

The organisation explains: “A person experiencing early symptoms of dementia may notice these changes themselves, or they may be picked up first by family members, friends or colleagues. Memory problems are not always obvious in the early stages of some types of dementia, such as frontotemporal dementia, where changes in behaviour and personality may appear first.

“People with young onset dementia, where symptoms begin before the age of 65, are also less likely to have memory loss as an early symptom.”

<h2>Emotional Changes Linked To Specific Forms Of Dementia</h2>

The charity also points out that emotional changes can be linked to two specific types of dementia. In vascular dementia, a person may experience “changes in mood, behaviour and personality”, while Lewy body dementia can cause “mood changes, including anxiety and depression”.

<h2>Dementia: Why These Symptoms Can Be Hard To Identify</h2>

That said, it is often difficult to know at first whether dementia is the cause of these warning signs. Dementia UK advises: “Many symptoms associated with dementia can also be caused by other physical or mental health conditions, such as thyroid disorders, menopause, vitamin B12 deficiency, depression, anxiety, work-related stress or relationship difficulties.

“This means that experiencing symptoms linked to dementia does not automatically mean someone has the condition. However, if you or someone close to you is showing signs or symptoms of dementia, it is important to visit a GP to understand what might be causing them.”

If you or someone you know is showing symptoms that resemble dementia, seeking advice from your GP is an important first step.

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An early sign of dementia can sometimes look like a common winter-related issue. When this symptom appears along with other warning signals, it may be wise to speak to a doctor. Dementia is a syndrome marked by a collection of related symptoms that point to a gradual decline in brain function. Over time, this can affect memory, behaviour, thinking, and even movement. In its early phase, however, dementia often shows up through subtle changes that are easy to overlook or mistake for something less serious.This Common Cold Like Symptom Might Actually Be An Early Sign of DementiaDementia UK notes that one possible early indicator of dementia is “low mood, anxiety or depression”. Its specialists explain: “In the early stages of dementia, people often begin to notice symptoms that interfere with day-to-day life.” The difficulty is that low mood or depression can also be linked to seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a form of depression that tends to appear during winter and ease as the days become longer and brighter.Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)The NHS lists the following possible symptoms of SAD:Low moodLoss of interest in activities you usually enjoyFeelings of guilt, hopelessness or worthlessnessFeeling restless, tense or easily irritatedProblems with concentrationIncreased appetite and eating more than usualFeeling very tired and sleeping more than usualThoughts of suicide or self-harmDementia Early SymptomsDementia UK also highlights other possible early signs of dementia, including:Problems with memory and concentrationDifficulties with language and communication, such as struggling to find words or follow conversationsDifficulties with planning, problem-solving and making decisionsGetting lost in familiar places because of problems with orientation and reduced ability to recognise usual cues, such as signs or landmarksChanges in behaviour and personality, such as becoming more withdrawn or less patientHow Early Symptoms May Differ Between Dementia TypesThe organisation explains: “A person experiencing early symptoms of dementia may notice these changes themselves, or they may be picked up first by family members, friends or colleagues. Memory problems are not always obvious in the early stages of some types of dementia, such as frontotemporal dementia, where changes in behaviour and personality may appear first.“People with young onset dementia, where symptoms begin before the age of 65, are also less likely to have memory loss as an early symptom.”Emotional Changes Linked To Specific Forms Of DementiaThe charity also points out that emotional changes can be linked to two specific types of dementia. In vascular dementia, a person may experience “changes in mood, behaviour and personality”, while Lewy body dementia can cause “mood changes, including anxiety and depression”.Dementia: Why These Symptoms Can Be Hard To IdentifyThat said, it is often difficult to know at first whether dementia is the cause of these warning signs. Dementia UK advises: “Many symptoms associated with dementia can also be caused by other physical or mental health conditions, such as thyroid disorders, menopause, vitamin B12 deficiency, depression, anxiety, work-related stress or relationship difficulties.“This means that experiencing symptoms linked to dementia does not automatically mean someone has the condition. However, if you or someone close to you is showing signs or symptoms of dementia, it is important to visit a GP to understand what might be causing them.”When To Seek Medical AdviceIf you or someone you know is showing symptoms that resemble dementia, seeking advice from your GP is an important first step.