The surprising toilet habit that can be an early warning sign of dementia

DEMENTIA is when mental deterioration is severe enough to interfere with someone's daily life.

The most common warning signs are memory issues, but experts have warned that there's one toilet habit that could hold the key to early diagnosis.

1

The NHS says that the main symptoms of Alzheimer's include confusion and disorientation and difficulty making decisions.

But researchers at the Paris Brain Institute have revealed that constipation could actually be an early warning sign of the condition.

Constipation is when you struggle to pass a stool and is usually caused when you don't eat enough fibre.

You will usually experience constipation if you have not had a poo at least three times during the last week.

If your poo is often large, dry, hard or lumpy then you might also have constipation.

You may also be constipated if you are straining or in pain when you go for a poo.

Most read in Health

HEALTH SCARE

Man, 19, left bedridden for a YEAR after ingrown hair triggered disease

RED ALERT

Brits unaware silent killer condition can cause stroke - 3 symptoms not to miss

THREAT

Second Ebola outbreak declared this week as 9 killed & ‘cousin’ virus spreading

QUEUE DODGE

The 7 common conditions you don't need to see a GP for - as part of NHS service

Some people might also experience stomach ache and feel bloated or sick.

The study, published in the  is the first to have found a connection between dementia and constipation.

Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia and the experts looked at people who had a confirmed diagnosis of this.

They found that the link between the two conditions became apparent seven years after a person was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

However, experts were key to highlight that just because someone has constipation in earlier life, it does not mean they will go on to develop Alzheimer's.

In total, the researchers found ten symptoms, including constipation, that were present in people who were diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

Here are the 10 conditions that could predict your risk of Alzheimer's:

1. Major depression
2. Anxiety
3. Constipation
4. Abnormal weight loss
5. Reaction to severe stress
6. Sleep disorders
7. Hearing loss
8. Type of arthritis called cervical spondylosis
9. Falls
10. Fatigue

First author of the study Dr Thomas Nedelec explained that the findings of the study make it possible to look at the risk factors of Alzheimer's and how they can be prevented.

"The question remains as to whether the health problems encountered are risk factors, symptoms, or warning signs of the disease", he added.

Researchers at the Paris Brain Institute looked at the health records of over 20,214 people with Alzheimer's in the UK and 19,458 people in France.

From this data, they compared each person's medical records over 15-years and looked at people who had and hadn't received a diagnosis of a progressive brain disease.

Around 123 health conditions were reported and from this ten had a higher association with Alzheimer's disease.

If you think you might have Alzheimer's then it's important that you seek help with your GP.

The NHS says that because the symptoms of the condition develop slowly overtime then it can sometimes be hard to spot.

Guidance states that there's no single test that can be used to diagnose Alzheimer's disease.

They added that it's important to remember that memory problems do not necessarily mean you have Alzheimer's disease.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

SHOP SMART

All the supermarket changes hitting shoppers this year including axed bakeries

BUY BUY BUY

Map reveals how much first-time buyers need based on YOUR postcode

Treatment may help slow down the progression of the condition and the main aim is to treat the underlying cause to help prevent further problems, such as strokes.

Medicines and lifestyle changes will be encouraged including eating healthily, losing weight if necessary, stop smoking, get fit and cutting down on alcohol.