Neurologist named non-obvious symptoms of early stage dementia

Loss of sense of smell, dental problems, and sudden visual impairment can be early signs of impending cognitive impairment. It is important that dementia rarely develops suddenly — the body begins to give alarm signals years before the appearance of obvious memory problems. Andrey Cheremukhin, a neurologist at the Warm Conversations boarding school, told Izvestia about this on May 23.

One of these non-obvious markers is visual impairment. When a person refuses glasses, his brain is forced to spend additional resources on processing a fuzzy image, which over time can lead to a decrease in cognitive functions. Research shows that this constant overload increases the risk of developing dementia in the long run.

Dental problems are an equally alarming signal. Chronic gum inflammation and tooth loss are associated with a decrease in the volume of the hippocampus, an area of the brain responsible for memory. The bacteria that cause periodontitis can enter the bloodstream and provoke neuroinflammatory processes. Regular visits to the dentist and careful oral hygiene can be an important preventive measure.

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Unexpected weight loss without a change in diet or physical activity should also be alarming. According to the neurologist, this may indicate abnormalities in areas of the brain that regulate appetite and metabolism, which often suffer from neurodegenerative processes.

The expert pays special attention to the loss of sense of smell: the inability to distinguish between familiar smells like coffee or cinnamon may indicate changes characteristic of Alzheimer's disease.

"Another little—known but important sign is changes in eating behavior. People in the early stages of dementia may lose interest in their favorite foods, eat spoiled food, inedible objects such as flowers or hair, or fixate on one product," Cheremukhin warned.

This is due to disturbances in the areas of the brain responsible for appetite, tastes and sense of smell.

Frequent falls and coordination problems, which many attribute to age, may be the result of brain disorders. The same applies to sudden obsessive habits, from shopaholism to the ritual ordering of things that indicate damage to the frontal lobes.

"Early diagnosis is the key to effective prevention," Cheremukhin emphasizes. "Paying attention to these signals, regular checkups, and taking care of brain health can significantly slow down the development of cognitive impairment." According to the expert, it is impossible to completely eliminate the risk of dementia, but timely measures can preserve the quality of life for many years to come.

Earlier, on May 21, Anna Shelobanova, a general practitioner at the Warm Conversations boarding school network, told Izvestia which vegetables can protect against dementia. According to her, regular potatoes can be a real treasure for the brain. She also explained that a variety of types of cabbage, from broccoli to Brussels sprouts, contain powerful antioxidants that protect neurons from damage.