Early Warning Signs
- Memory loss affecting daily life — repeatedly asking the same questions, forgetting recent conversations
- Difficulty planning or solving problems
- Confusion with time or place
- Difficulty with familiar tasks (cooking a usual recipe, managing finances)
- Language problems — struggling to find words
- Poor judgment
- Withdrawal from social activities
- Mood and personality changes
Blood Tests to Rule Out Reversible Causes
| Test | Rules Out |
|---|---|
| FBC | Anaemia |
| TSH | Hypothyroidism — a treatable cause of cognitive decline |
| Vitamin B12 + folate | Deficiency causing reversible cognitive impairment |
| Calcium | Hypercalcaemia can cause confusion |
| Liver function tests | Liver disease affecting brain function (encephalopathy) |
| Kidney function | Uraemia affecting cognition |
| HbA1c/glucose | Diabetes — poor control can affect cognition |
| Syphilis serology | Rare but treatable cause if risk factors present |
Types of Dementia
| Type | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Alzheimer's disease | Gradual memory decline, most common type |
| Vascular dementia | Step-wise decline, often after strokes; linked to cardiovascular risk factors |
| Lewy body dementia | Visual hallucinations, fluctuating cognition, parkinsonism |
| Frontotemporal dementia | Personality and behaviour changes, often younger onset |
Early Diagnosis Enables PlanningWhile treatment options for progressive dementia remain limited, early diagnosis allows time for legal and financial planning (power of attorney, advance directives), access to support services, and in some cases, newer disease-modifying treatments for early Alzheimer's.
Is memory loss always dementia?
No — normal ageing causes some memory changes (occasionally forgetting names, needing more time to learn new things), but this doesn't significantly impair daily function. Dementia involves progressive decline that does affect independence.
Can dementia be prevented?
While not entirely preventable, managing cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes), staying physically and mentally active, maintaining social connections, and treating hearing loss are associated with reduced dementia risk.
Are new Alzheimer's drugs available?
Newer disease-modifying treatments (like lecanemab) targeting amyloid protein have shown modest benefit in slowing early Alzheimer's progression, though availability, cost, and side effect profiles vary by country and are still being established.
Medical Disclaimer: This page is for general education only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.