"Why have people changed so much?"...What are the signs of dementia that shouldn't be ignored? By Kwon Soon-il (kstt77@kormedi.com)

Starting in your 30s, the brain begins to shrink very slowly. While most people may not even notice it, this can slow down the brain's processing speed and slow down retrieval. In other words, even though information is still stored in your mind, it takes a little longer to retrieve it.

 

According to the U.S. health and medical media outlet *Prevention*, some symptoms may not be a normal phenomenon of aging but rather indicate severe cognitive decline. Experts state, "Dementia is typically diagnosed when two or more cognitive domains decline significantly, and these changes inevitably affect daily life."

This generally indicates that there are abnormalities in memory, as well as problems with language, visual and spatial functions, or multitasking execution. Based on materials such as *Prevention*, we have compiled the early signs of dementia that should never be ignored. If any of these signs occur and affect your daily life, consulting a doctor and undergoing a cognitive test is the best course of action.

 

“My personality changes completely” People with dementia may become more irritable, have lower tolerance for frustration, and cry more often. Conversely, personality changes can also occur. People with prickly or very strong personalities may sometimes become much gentler or more affectionate.

 

Getting lost in a familiar place Memory loss and difficulties with visual and spatial perception can lead to a loss of sense of direction. People with dementia may wander even in places they have visited hundreds of times and easily get lost while driving.

 

I keep losing things If a normal person cannot find a key or a remote control, they can logically think about where they might have put it. However, with dementia, this kind of deductive reasoning can be difficult. This leads to frustration, causing them to suspect that the item has been stolen.

 

Forgetting what you just learned While it is natural to occasionally forget trivial matters, people with dementia struggle to retain new information to the extent that it impacts their lives. Family members or those around them may notice first when the individual repeats the same questions during a conversation or fails to recall details from a TV show just watched. Additionally, learning new tasks, such as using a mobile phone or a new computer program, becomes increasingly difficult.

 

I can't spend money properly Dementia patients struggle with abstract thinking, such as mathematics. This can lead to problems in daily life, such as failing to process bills on time or paying twice. They may also make poor judgments regarding spending money.

Confused about time Realizing it is dinner time when you thought it was breakfast, or being unable to remember the day of the week without looking at a calendar, could be a sign of cognitive impairment. As dementia progresses, one may wake up in the middle of the night to get dressed. Knowing the season or the year also becomes difficult.

 

Forgetting familiar words In addition to forgetting names and being unable to retain new information, you may not be able to remember familiar words such as clocks or refrigerators. You might also stop in the middle of a sentence or be unable to continue a conversation.

 

“Distancing from social gatherings” If you develop dementia, you may avoid parties or events involving many people. You begin to drift away from friends as it becomes difficult to join conversations or remember the names of people you do not see every day.

 

 

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The disease Mom must avoid the most

I think I have dementia.

I don't remember, so I don't know for sure, but

He tells the remaining family that it is a terrible disease.

 

These days, it doesn't seem like a disease you get just because you get old, does it?

I hear that dementia appears in young people as well.