jasdooit

A specialist in dementia has shared insights on distinguishing between typical brain fog and the initial indicators ofAlzheimer’s disease. 

Data published by Alzheimer’s Research UK revealed that 74,261 individuals passed away due to dementia in 2022, up from 69,178 the previous year, marking the condition—known as the most prevalent type of dementia—as the leading cause of death in the country.

Emma Taylor, a manager in information services at Alzheimer’s Research UK, statedThe Sunthat there are five major distinctions between the initial phases of the irreversible illness and the common ‘brain fog’ that everyone encounters.

She stated: “The main distinction between brain fog and Alzheimer’s is that brain fog is temporary and frequently reversible.”

She noted intriguingly that brain fog is not solely associated with aging, but can occur at any life stage and may be caused by stress, fatigue, and hormonal fluctuations.

By highlighting five distinct behaviors, Ms. Taylor described how these are perceived differently in individuals with Alzheimer’s compared to those experiencing typical memory lapses.

These include: forgetting why you entered a room, losing your keys, having difficulty finding the correct word, missing appointments, and finding it hard to keep up with a discussion.

First of all, Ms. Taylor mentioned, if you occasionally enter a room and can’t remember why you came in, it’s probably brain fog—but if this happens frequently, it might indicate Alzheimer’s.

If you have lost your keys but eventually locate them, it’s probably due to a momentary lapse in mental clarity—but if you placed them in an unusual spot like the refrigerator without recalling it, it could indicate Alzheimer’s.

Thirdly, if you have difficulty finding the correct word but it eventually comes to you, it’s probably due to mental fatigue.

However, if you’re struggling with common words and employing completely irrelevant terms, this might indicate a need to consult your general practitioner to exclude the possibility of Alzheimer’s.

In the same way, if you miss a meeting but recall it later after being prompted, or it suddenly pops into your mind, it might be due to brain fog.

However, if you completely forget it, even after being reminded, it might indicate Alzheimer’s.

And lastly, if you experience mental sluggishness but are still able to follow a discussion, it is probably brain fog—but if you lose track of what others are saying and frequently ask the same questions, it could indicate Alzheimer’s.

If you’re worried about brain fog, it’s advisable to consult your general practitioner, as it may result from an underlying health issue—but ‘many conditions can be addressed or controlled with the assistance of a doctor,’ Ms. Taylor said to The Sun.

“Brain fog is frequently used to describe the sensation of not being able to think clearly,” said Dr. Simon Wheeler, senior knowledge officer at Alzheimer’s Society, alsotold the outlet.

 

Even though it is not a disease or illness on its own, it may serve as a sign of various common issues such as menopause, disorders, ongoing pain, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

In the meantime, he mentioned, if you are concerned that you or someone close to you might have dementia, you can utilize the Alzheimer’s Society’s symptom checklist.

Common signs of dementia involve difficulties with memory, cognitive processing speed, mental acuity, speech, comprehension, decision-making, and emotional state.

However, there are also less recognized indicators, with research linking alterations in vision, hearing, touch, balance, and more recently, olfactory function, to the initial phases of the condition.

Experts have also cautioned that issues related to spatial awareness—such as positioning oneself too near others—may serve as early indicators of dementia.

Early detection of dementia is seen as essential, since although the condition cannot be cured, therapies can manage symptoms and occasionally delay its advancement.

However, “if someone is hesitant to ask for assistance, Alzheimer’s Research UK offers plenty of useful advice to handle difficult discussions,” said Ms. Taylor.

This may involve maintaining a journal of behavioral changes you have observed in them for discussion purposes.

Over 944,000 individuals in the United Kingdom are believed to be affected by dementia, with an estimated seven million people in the United States facing the condition.

Over half—a projected 62 per cent,according to Alzheimer’s Research—of individuals diagnosed with dementia in the UK are women.

Ms. Taylor stated, “Hormonal shifts associated with menopause, particularly a significant drop in estrogen, contribute to why women have a higher risk of developing dementia compared to men.”

Estrogen is crucial for maintaining brain health, so a decrease in its levels can make the brain more susceptible to Alzheimer’s.

A recent study conducted by the Alzheimer’s Society calculated the total yearly cost of dementia in the UK to be £42 billion, with households facing the majority of the burden.

An aging population indicates that these expenses, which involve the lost income of informal caregivers, are expected to rise to £90 billion within the next 15 years.

Read more

• Will the UK’s £42 billion expenditure on dementia increase significantly due to an aging population encountering brain health issues?
• What indicators of dementia are being ignored among the younger people in Britain?
• Are we approaching a crisis in dementia? Shocking statistics forecast rising expenses and cases in the UK as the population grows older!
• As dementia has become the top cause of death in the UK, can early detection genuinely serve as a turning point in delaying its harmful progression?
• Why is dementia referred to as the UK’s most dangerous threat, causing more deaths than heart disease and cancer?