The little-known symptom of dementia you can spot while eating dinner
AROUND 900,000 Brits are currently living with dementia.
And with an ageing population it's likely that number will continue to rise, as getting older is the biggest risk factor for the brain robbing disease.
Dementia is one of the leading causes of death globally, bringing with it pain and suffering to both those who have it and those around them.
A new drug, named donanemab, has been proven to slow the disease — heralding a new era where it could become treatable.
The potentially game-changing drug is still in its trial phase, so until it becomes readily available catching the disease early promises the best outcomes.
Memory loss is a common sign which most people are aware of.
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But did you know dementia can also affect your appetite?
According to the NHS, many people living with dementia may experience a change in their relationship with food, eating
and drinking.
Some people with the disease may develop a poor appetite, while others overeat.
This is particularly the case for those suffering from frontotemporal dementia, the said.
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People with this form of the disease may also be more likely to develop obsessions with certain foods.
As the disease progresses, some sufferers might have difficulty chewing and swallowing, the NHS added.
Depending on the individual, these changes can result in dehydration, weight loss or weight gain.
However, people with dementia must continue to eat a well-balanced diet.
This includes eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables each day, plenty of fibre, a source of protein and fat.
They should also aim to drink at least six to eight cups of fluid a day, such as water, tea or squash.
Other early signs of the condition include:
- memory loss
- difficulty concentrating
- finding it hard to carry out familiar daily tasks, such as getting confused over the correct change when shopping
- struggling to follow a conversation or find the right word
- being confused about time and place
- mood changes
Different types of dementia can affect people differently, and everyone will experience symptoms in their own way.
Difference between dementia and Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's and dementia are not the same thing — despite the terms often being grouped together and used interchangeably.
Dementia is an umbrella term that covers a lot of different conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease.
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Alzheimer’s disease, which is the most common form of dementia, is responsible for around two thirds of the cases of dementia in the UK, which is why people sometimes get confused.
Do I have dementia?
Experts have devised tests that could be used to spot dementia nearly a decade before doctors notice symptoms.
Cambridge University experts say simple tests could be used to screen people and start treatment earlier.
Both tests rely on subtle differences that could easily be missed.