Health
When it comes to the brain, there are signs of normal aging that need to be taken into account, and there are symptoms of serious illnesses. You should definitely pay attention to them, and if something happens, immediately inform your doctor about them.
Here are hints to look for:
Read also: What your brain warns you about: 10 signs that a stroke is imminent
Brain diseases
1. Unnatural aging
First of all: there is a big difference between changes in the body of normal aging and cognitive impairment. For example, these signs may be symptoms of diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.
“In a normal healthy brain, aging processes occur as our body ages — neurons can slow down,” says Dr. Michael R. Michael R. Wasserman.
Slowing neurons means it will take much longer to process incoming information or respond to new information than a person with a healthy brain.
It should be noted that some people, even at the age of 100, kept their minds clean and clear of thought. And there are also those who, at a fairly young age, begin to experience serious health problems.
The following signs and symptoms should not be taken as part of aging; they should be taken as a signal to visit your doctor.
2. Short-term memory loss
When it comes to aging brain disorders, Alzheimer's is the most common condition. This disease has a pretty clear early warning sign.
“It is Alzheimer's disease that affects short-term memory,” says Dr. Wasserman. “Thus, the main early symptom of the disease is short-term memory loss.” And you should definitely pay attention to this sign.
This includes forgetting some important events, as well as not being able to repeat what you read.
Here are some more of the early signs of Alzheimer's that should also be considered. Recurring questions or quick to forget recent conversations are also among the indicators, experts say.
“All of this can be caused by dysfunction of the medial temporal lobe. These are the first signs of Alzheimer's disease, as well as some other brain diseases,” experts explain.
3. Long-term memory loss
If your memory problems extend to things that happened years or decades ago, you may be dealing with a different type of problem, says Dr. Wasserman.
People with Alzheimer's disease usually don't suffer from long-term memory. But other forms of dementia can cause problems with long-term memory.
Experts say that brain diseases caused by repeated strokes that interrupt blood supply lead to damage to brain tissue. Strokes can affect the part of the brain responsible for long-term memory.
Be sure to pay attention to this symptom.
Brain problems
4. Trouble finding the right words
Even a healthy 40-year-old can catch himself having trouble finding words when talking.
If you often find it difficult to remember basic vocabulary, primarily words commonly used in everyday life, this may be the first sign of cognitive impairment.
Difficulties in the parts of the brain that control language and are responsible for speaking (left temporal or parietal lobe) can often mean the development of Alzheimer's disease, as well as other neurodegenerative disorders related to structural brain damage or damage associated with stroke, explains Dr. Holtzman.
5. Problems with completing tasks
Another early sign of Alzheimer's disease may be problems with executive function. These problems are related to an area of the brain called the prefrontal cortex.
“Executive function is higher-level thinking,” says Dr. Wasserman. Therefore, if someone has trouble managing and completing tasks, as well as reasoning and solving basic tasks, these are all possible signs of early-stage Alzheimer's disease.”
Also read: 7 smart activities that will increase your IQ
6. Difficulties with driving a car
Experts say that people with brain dementia may not understand that they have real driving problems.
However, others from outside may notice that such problems do exist.
A number of physical factors can contribute to a decrease in the ability of older people to drive (this can be, for example, vision problems). However, reduced driving concentration and driving problems can also occur due to Alzheimer's disease, as well as other forms of dementia.
Brain-related diseases can cause problems while driving on the road, affecting memory and decision-making skills.
Therefore, if an adult has no reference point, forgetfulness when finding familiar places, etc., it is necessary to consult a specialist.
It is possible that these are serious brain diseases, and only a doctor can determine the severity of the disease.
7. Changes in mood, personality changes
Feeling or even lethargic should also be a cause for concern.
“If a person suddenly becomes more passive or has persistent symptoms of depression, this may also be an additional sign of cognitive impairment,” explains Dr. Holtzman.
“This may be due to changes in the frontal lobe of the brain. The same Alzheimer's disease or other serious brain diseases may also be the cause.”
8. Anxiety and loss of balance
When it comes to serious brain disorders, there may also be some other physical symptoms. For example, multi-infarct dementia may be accompanied by the following physical symptoms: loss of balance, trembling and pain in the limbs, and certain types of hallucinations, including auditory hallucinations.
9. Loss of olfactory receptors
Not only is your reduced ability to smell an early sign of Parkinson's degenerative disorder, the area of your brain responsible for odors is also linked to the disease Alzheimer's.
Indeed, several studies conducted in 2016 have shown that specialists can detect early stages of Alzheimer's disease by testing a person's ability to identify odors .
If the patient loses the ability to identify fragrances, this is most likely a call to see a doctor immediately.
10. Hearing impairment
In fact, there are many causes of hearing loss, from infection to a perforated eardrum, but Alzheimer's disease may be one of them, experts say.
According to scientists, plaques formed in the brain can affect the ability of the auditory center to function normally.
If there's one important point Dr. Wasserman would like to clarify: Cognitive changes such as memory loss or slow reactions that interfere with your normal life should not be perceived as a normal stage of aging.
Cognitive changes that affect everyday life are a reason to talk to your doctor to find out what the real extent of the problem is.
Decreased memory and thinking, signs visible to others, are a clear change in your health. All these signs should encourage a person to explore whether there are causes beyond normal aging, experts insist.