Early Signs of Dementia: Prevention and Warning Signs

Early detection of dementia is crucial for treatment, as symptoms like memory loss, disorientation, and impaired sense of smell can appear years before diagnosis.

### Early Warning Signs and Prevention of Dementia
* 🧠 Early warning signs of dementia include **memory loss, difficulty with words, sudden mood changes, and disorientation**.
* 👃 Surprisingly, a study found that a **diminished sense of smell**, especially in those with a specific dementia-related gene, could be an **early indicator of cognitive decline**.
* 📅 Symptoms can appear up to **nine years before a dementia diagnosis**, including falls, balance issues, and difficulty with numbers.
* 🔬 Beta-amyloid accumulation in the brain is believed to be a key factor in dementia, affecting both **brain and olfactory nerve function**.
* 🏋 Prevention strategies include **regular exercise**, a healthy diet (such as the **Mediterranean or MIND diet**), and avoiding **excessive alcohol and tobacco use**.
* Engaging in mental activities, socializing, and managing overall health are also important for **brain health**.
* 🇰🇷 South Korea is particularly concerned about dementia due to its aging population, with experts warning it could become a **national disaster** if not addressed.

Generally, if the following symptoms appear, one can suspect the early stages of dementia. However, recent studies have discovered even more surprising early warning signs of dementia. I urge you to check if you might have any of these symptoms, as they are completely unexpected. So, how can we prevent dementia, which could become a national disaster? Today, I will briefly explain based on research evidence. It is easy to think of dementia solely as a disease, but in fact, if detected early, it can be treated. Especially nowadays, many new medications are being developed. If dementia is detected early and treated, its progression can be significantly slowed. Once serious symptoms appear, however, no treatment will be effective, regardless of how much is administered. Recent studies have shown that many warning signs appear before one develops dementia.

It has been reported that individuals with a specific gene associated with dementia exhibit particular symptoms. Additionally, certain symptoms can appear as much as nine years before dementia is diagnosed. In such cases, various preventive measures and treatments can help prevent severe dementia. Today, we will discuss the early symptoms of dementia, what symptoms may appear as much as nine years prior to the onset of dementia, and the specific symptoms that occur in high-risk groups. We will also explore scientifically backed methods for preventing dementia. 

Dementia does not occur suddenly; it is not the case that a person is fine one day and then suddenly cannot recognize others due to dementia. Before dementia begins, there are various subtle symptoms that can easily be overlooked. It is at this stage that treatment can significantly help prevent the progression to severe dementia.

You can prevent it. A famous YouTuber also received a doctor's opinion to be cautious about dementia, and they are actively working as a YouTuber. Even after several years, they are still very active. In this way, the initial symptoms of dementia are the most important for treatment. So, what symptoms should you be aware of in the early stages? Generally, if the following symptoms appear, you might suspect the early stages of dementia. If you experience these symptoms, it is really, really important to go to the hospital as soon as possible for a diagnosis and treatment. 

The first symptom is not being able to remember recent events. For example, I can clearly remember something that happened 30 years ago, like a neighbor's dog, but I can't remember the utility bills I need to pay today. This can also be a symptom of dementia. Additionally, while I can remember events from several years ago, I often forget where I just put something. Lately, I can't remember where I placed anything at all.

I can't remember. What was I trying to do? What was I supposed to do today? These symptoms can occur, especially in people who have weak attention spans, are under a lot of stress, or have a heavy workload. When the brain becomes overloaded, it can lead to such issues. However, if these symptoms worsen despite not being under much stress or having a lot of work, it can be a warning sign. Even if stress is high, if these symptoms continue to intensify, it could indicate a problem. 

The second symptom is forgetting words during conversations. For instance, if I can't remember the name of a close friend I’m supposed to call tomorrow, or if I completely forget names during a conversation, or even if I forget my home address, these could be early signs of dementia. Especially if these symptoms persist...

If it progresses, having conversations in daily life can become very difficult. Even very ordinary words, like train, car, and airplane, which I have known since childhood, are hard to remember. This symptom can lead to social maladjustment because if I can't communicate well with others, I start to hesitate to meet new people. A sense of fear arises in everything, and it can manifest as difficulty in adapting socially. 

The third symptom is becoming numb and suddenly losing my temper. This symptom is particularly evident in a type of dementia known as frontotemporal dementia. For example, there are people who usually enjoy fishing or collecting items. However, their interest in hobbies they once loved can just drop off completely. Beyond just losing interest, it becomes a daily struggle.

There are things that need to be done, such as preparing meals or going grocery shopping. Suddenly feeling irritated and lashing out can be a sign of dementia. From the outside, it can be shocking for family members to witness someone suddenly erupting in anger without any clear reason. Many children find it difficult to cope with these situations. Later, when a diagnosis is made, they may realize, Ah, my parent has dementia. 

Particularly, certain symptoms of dementia include suddenly becoming suspicious of others and making nonsensical statements, which can distress those around them and lead to outbursts of anger. These individuals were not like that before. Such symptoms can also indicate dementia. 

The fourth symptom is struggling to manage tasks that were once done frequently. This is especially true for everyday activities like cooking or writing a shopping list. These tasks can become increasingly difficult.

It can be difficult to go to the bank and pay taxes, and I also struggle with simple calculations. These symptoms can be signs of dementia. When memory declines, later on, one may not even know what day it is or what month it is. If it gets worse, there may be symptoms where you can't recognize the faces of close people. In such cases, dementia should be strongly suspected. 

The fifth sign is that if you are watching a really interesting drama but can't follow the story, it could also be a symptom of dementia. Recently, many people loved the drama The Glory, but I couldn't tell if Song Hye-kyo was the victim or the perpetrator, whether the teacher was good or bad, or if Lim Ji-hyun and Park Hyun-jin were victims or perpetrators. Watching the drama, I found myself confused.

Dementia symptoms can manifest in various ways. These phenomena often appear as a decline in the ability to remember stories and understand the flow of dialogue among characters in a drama. All of these are related to memory. The sixth symptom is severe disorientation, which is not just a typical sense of being lost. It can feel like you are unable to find your way to places you usually frequent, leading to getting lost. In fact, finding your way is a significant task; it is quite complex. Mathematically speaking, determining the correct path at a crossroads requires inferring an enormous number of possibilities. The act of navigating itself demands our brain to process a vast amount of information. Therefore, in the past, individuals whose jobs involved a lot of navigation had specific areas in their brains responsible for memory.

There was also research indicating that the brain regions responsible for memory in London taxi drivers, who are famous for navigating the city's many alleys, have grown larger. The seventh point is that they repeat the same actions and words. In the case of elderly individuals with dementia, it is common for them to forget that they have already eaten lunch and to eat multiple times. Additionally, there are instances where they forget that they have just taken a bath and end up bathing again. Repeating specific symptoms and stories can occur due to memory issues. The eighth point is a truly terrifying and life-threatening symptom: crossing eight-lane roads or highways without waiting for the signal. Such behavior is extremely dangerous and often makes the news. I remember a time when I also crossed the highway without waiting.

I once hit an elderly person who was walking unsteadily. This is a phenomenon that occurs when judgment deteriorates in daily life. It is a serious symptom that arises from a decline in cognitive function, making it difficult to distinguish between what is dangerous and what is not. In addition to these common symptoms, recent studies have discovered symptoms that can appear as much as nine years before the onset of dementia. These include frequent falls and difficulty maintaining balance, as well as problems with remembering numbers. Research has shown that individuals who experienced frequent falls over the past year had a higher risk of developing dementia. This study utilized data from the UK Biobank. While it is obvious that a decline in memory is related to dementia, one might wonder why falling is also associated with it. The reason is that dementia can impair motor skills as well.

I believe that it will have a significant impact on the nerve cells related to exercise. So, while it may seem that simply falling has nothing to do with dementia, it could be our body sending us an SOS, indicating that dementia may develop in nine years. It is a way of telling us to prepare for dementia in advance. So far, we have looked at symptoms that appear as early as nine years before dementia actually sets in. However, recent research has discovered even more surprising early warning signs of dementia. I urge you to check if you might have any of these symptoms. One symptom that you might not expect is the inability to smell properly. This may sound a bit absurd, but this research was recently published in the prestigious medical journal Neurology. The study conducted at the University of Chicago found that the sense of smell...

We conducted a study by dividing the concentration into six levels, allowing participants to smell from faint to strong odors, and then identifying what the smell was at each concentration. It seemed like a very simple experiment that even elementary school students could do. However, after testing approximately 900 people over about five years, we discovered a shocking fact. Those who carry the dementia risk gene, the APOE4 allele, not only had a much harder time identifying smells but also struggled to distinguish what the smells were. It was revealed that they were unable to identify odors about 40% more than normal individuals. Moreover, it was found that people without this dementia gene only began to experience a decline in their ability to identify smells after the age of 75 or 79. In contrast, those with the APOE allele experienced this decline at an earlier age.

People who are 10 years older, specifically between the ages of 65 and 69, have experienced a faster decline in their sense of smell. You might think that not being able to smell isn't a big deal, and that it's hard to believe that losing the ability to smell could lead to dementia. However, research has shown that individuals who cannot smell have exhibited dementia symptoms, meaning their cognitive decline has occurred at a much faster rate. 

To summarize, people with dementia-related genes experience a decline in their sense of smell ten years earlier than others, and once this symptom appears, the cognitive decline associated with dementia manifests very quickly. Moreover, the rate of cognitive decline is also significantly accelerated. So, why does this happen? The secret lies in what is believed to trigger dementia.

It was due to a substance called beta-amyloid, which is known to accumulate significantly in dementia patients and disrupt brain function. Experts estimate that this beta-amyloid damages not only the brain but also the olfactory nerves connected to it. To explain beta-amyloid, you can think of it as waste that accumulates in the brain, similar to mold. This accumulation interferes with brain function. Therefore, it has been reported that the continuous deposition of beta-amyloid in the brain leads to dementia. When beta-amyloid keeps accumulating in the brain, the nerve cells that are supposed to perform normal thinking and judgment inevitably face communication issues. Ultimately, our brain consists of a network of these nerve cells.

Because we can see, hear, taste, and make judgments. However, when substances like beta-amyloid keep accumulating in the brain, they interfere with the network function of nerve cells. Of course, there are still various counterarguments regarding whether beta-amyloid is truly the cause of dementia. Nevertheless, it is clear that beta-amyloid is frequently found in the brains of Alzheimer's patients, which is a representative disease of dementia. So, why is it important to detect dementia early? As I mentioned earlier, the sooner it is detected, the better we can preserve brain function and slow down the progression of dementia, allowing for prevention. In particular, it is known that South Korea needs to pay special attention to dementia.

The birth rate is declining, but in contrast, everyone predicts that the elderly population will increase significantly in the future. This means that there will be fewer young people to support the elderly. Naturally, dementia will increasingly become a national issue. Many experts believe that if we neglect dementia, it could truly become a national disaster in the future. So, how can we prevent dementia, which could potentially lead to such a disaster? Today, I will briefly explain this based on research findings. More detailed explanations will be covered in a later video. The top priority in preventing dementia is exercise. You might wonder what physical activity has to do with the brain, but surprisingly, exercise is known to be very closely related to dementia. Physical health is directly linked to brain health.

It is known that when we use our bodies a lot, the rate at which brain function declines significantly decreases. A study published in 2019 found that people who exercise maintain their brain function better than those who do not. So, how much exercise should we do? It is recommended to engage in light exercise, such as walking, for about two and a half hours a week, and to participate in more strenuous activities, like jogging, for about one hour and fifteen minutes a week. For those who find this type of exercise boring, fun activities like tennis, which involve a lot of running, are also recommended. 

The second preventive measure is to eat proper food. What does proper food mean? In fact, traditional Korean cuisine is well-known worldwide as a very healthy diet. Along with traditional Korean food, the Mediterranean diet is one of the most famous diets. Recent studies have highlighted the benefits of olive oil and a diet rich in vegetables.

The Mediterranean diet is said to have a preventive effect against dementia. To take it a step further, there is a diet called the MIND diet, which combines the Mediterranean diet with the DASH diet, known for preventing high blood pressure. The MIND diet is reported to be particularly effective in preventing dementia. Foods such as beans, tofu, eggs, and fruits are preferred, while it is advisable to avoid sugar, animal fats, and excessive salt. Recently, there has been a lot of discussion about salt. Scientific studies have already reported that excessive salt intake is associated with increased mortality rates. Therefore, the claim that one should consume excessive salt lacks evidence. One reason for the spread of such statements is the correlation between salt intake and mortality rates, which is indeed a linear relationship. It is true that as salt intake increases, mortality rates rise, but the issue is that...

Even in cases of low intake, we can see that mortality rates increase. However, that does not mean that consuming a lot of salt is good. I have already addressed this in a previous video. The third point is to be cautious with alcohol and tobacco. Tobacco damages vascular health, and smoking increases the likelihood of stroke and heart disease. This can lead to vascular dementia, as vascular health is directly related to brain health. Additionally, excessive alcohol consumption can impair brain function, making dementia more likely. Research shows that excessive drinking is a risk factor for all types of dementia. Whether it's beer or soju, consuming more than one drink a day can be excessive. The fourth point is that mental activity is important. Engaging in games or solving puzzles is beneficial for brain health.

It's also important to engage in conversations and socialize with others, as these activities stimulate the brain. Staying connected with society is truly essential. The fifth point is that general health management is important. Our brains are sensitive, so if we can't sleep or suffer from depression, it negatively affects brain activity. Conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease are all related to blood vessels, which can also have a detrimental effect on the brain. Therefore, rather than thinking there is something special about managing dementia, it's better to maintain a healthy lifestyle consistently for my overall health. When creating videos, I invest a lot of time and effort. I research existing papers and new studies to create more accurate and engaging content. If my video has been helpful to you in any way today, please subscribe.

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Early Warning Signs of Dementia and How to Prevent It

Not being able to remember recent events or where things are located can be an early sign of dementia, especially if it worsens under low stress.

Forgetting words during conversations, names, or even home address, can also indicate the early stages of dementia.

It's important to seek medical help if these symptoms persist or worsen, as early detection and treatment can significantly slow the progression of the disease.

Recognizing Dementia Symptoms in Daily Life

Having difficulty in daily conversations and social interactions can be a sign of dementia, leading to a sense of fear and social maladjustment.

Sudden mood swings and loss of interest in once-loved activities are also common symptoms, often leading to family distress.

Struggling to manage familiar tasks, experiencing confusion while following stories, and severe disorientation are all potential indicators of dementia, and should be taken seriously.

London taxi drivers show enlarged brain regions responsible for memory due to their navigation-intensive job.

Elderly individuals with dementia often repeat actions, such as eating or bathing, due to memory issues.

Research has revealed that the inability to properly smell and identify odors is a surprising early warning sign of dementia, especially for those carrying the APOE4 allele.

The Impact of Declining Sense of Smell on Dementia

Older individuals, especially those between 65 and 69, experience a faster decline in their sense of smell, which has been linked to accelerated cognitive decline and dementia symptoms.

This decline is associated with the accumulation of beta-amyloid, a substance known to disrupt brain function and is frequently found in the brains of dementia patients.

Detecting dementia early is crucial for preserving brain function and slowing down its progression, making it important for prevention, especially in South Korea.

Preventing Dementia: The Key to Addressing Future Elderly Care

The declining birth rate will lead to a significant increase in the elderly population, creating a need to prevent dementia as it becomes a national issue.

Exercise plays a crucial role in maintaining brain function and is recommended for at least two and a half hours of light exercise, such as walking, per week.

Proper nutrition, including the Mediterranean and MIND diets, rich in vegetables and healthy fats, is also highlighted as an effective preventive measure against dementia.

It is advised to avoid excessive salt, sugar, and animal fats for brain health.

Tips for Brain Health and Dementia Prevention

Mortality rates can increase with low salt intake, but that doesn't justify high salt consumption.

Alcohol and tobacco should be used cautiously as they can both contribute to vascular health issues and dementia.

Engaging in mental activities, socializing, and managing overall health are important for brain health and dementia prevention.