"Most people fear getting dementia, and if they have a memory slip they wonder if that's the start of it," says Professor June Andrews, author of Dementia: The One-Stop Guide. "However, research and experience shows that memory problems are not always the first sign, or the worst problem."
While the below signs are by no means a guarantee of dementia, if you or a family member are experiencing them, it may be worth talking to a doctor.
1. Difficulty finding words
We've all had that moment when the word you want to say is just on the tip of your tongue, but you just can't drag it from the recesses of your memory. This in itself is not usually something to worry about, but if it's becoming increasingly common, it could be an early sign of dementia.
"Dementia can affect your capacity to speak, which can cause distress," says Professor Andrews. This is because as the brain becomes more damaged, you lose connections in the brain that help you to say the word you want.
2. Trouble with planning and following instructions
Following a favorite recipe. Playing a weekly game of bridge. These all used to be simple tasks or activities that you or a loved one could do without thinking, but it's getting harder.
Dementia can affect what's known as your 'executive function' – your ability to work things out, and is worsened if you can't remember how to do things and the order you need to do them in.
"There are many activities we do every day on autopilot, but if you break them down they are really complicated executive functions," says Professor Andrews. "If you have lost executive function you may know you have to do these things, but not be able to put it all together."
Read the full article here: http://www.womansday.com/health-fitness/a58679/surprising-symptoms-of-dementia/
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