Risk Factors and Early Signs of Dementia

‍Risk factors and early signs of dementia

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Common Risk Factors:

• Age
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Head trauma
• Diabetes
• Poor nutrition
• Limited social interaction
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Stress and depression
• Smoking and alcohol use
• Sleep disturbances
• Air pollution
• Family history of dementia

*Keep in mind genetics/genes only account for a small percentage of dementia cases and most causes of dementia are thought to be most heavily influenced by lifestyle factors.

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Common Early Signs:

• Forgetfulness of recent events and placement of items
• Confusion about time and place
• Difficulty completing familiar tasks
• Getting lost in familiar places
• Decreased ability to focus
• Decline in planning and organization
• Impaired judgment
• Repetitive questioning or storytelling
• Communication problems
• Visual perception changes
• Odd or inappropriate behaviors
• Personality changes
• Apathy
• Withdrawal from work and/or social activities

To learn about common symptoms specific to certain types of dementia check out:

NHS Symptoms of Dementia: Dementia Guide

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References: 

https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/how-can-i-prevent-dementia/risk-factors-dementia

https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/10_signs

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