Is Whistling A Sign Of Dementia

Hearing Aids Cost Too Much

At present, very few states require health insurers to cover the cost of hearing aids for people of all ages. As a result, 61 percent of users pay the bill themselves. At an average price of $1,675 per ear for equipment, fittings and evaluations, hearing aids can take a bite out of your budget. Factor in the high cost of hearing loss, however, and it is money well spent.

Alzheimer’s Society Explains What Vascular Dementia Is

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Caught in the earliest stages, treatment may be available to stop the disease from worsening, or at least reduce the speed at which it progresses. Here are the early warning signs of vascular dementia. One of the “barely noticeable” signs of the brain condition is problems with concentration, the NHS said. This could be tuning out of a film, TV programme, podcast, or book that usually keeps the person engaged.

What Is The Difference Between Ftd And Alzheimers

Like Alzheimers disease, FTD causes brain atrophy that leads to a progressive loss of brain function. Key differences between the two diseases include:

• Age at diagnosis: Symptoms of FTD usually appear between the ages of 45 and 65, whereas the majority of Alzheimers cases occur in people over age 65.
• From behavior changes to memory loss: Changes in behavior are an early sign of FTD, and problems with memory may occur in advanced stages. In contrast,;Alzheimers affects memory early on;and may lead to behavior issues as it progresses.
• Speech problems: People with FTD often suffer greater problems speaking, understanding speech and reading than people with Alzheimers.

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Top Stories In Baton Rouge In Your Inbox

In fact, it might make matters worse. Individuals with Alzheimers do not have the capacity to understand or reason so your efforts are futile.

Try redirecting her with activities she especially enjoys. Play some favorite music and/or songs that she can sing. Ask what song shes humming, and if she can respond, play it for her. To stimulate dialogue, keep asking questions, such as Why is that your favorite song? Tell me when you first heard it, etc.

You may want to try to go for a walk outside or have her assist you with gardening or simple outdoor chores. Involve her in your daily activities and give her lots of chances for meaningful dialogue.

Again, your sister is looking to be in relationship. For you, as her caregiver, you may have to work on your reactions to her humming, like watching your facial expressions and giving her reassuring smiles for comfort. In time, as the disease progresses, the humming will most likely stop and you may even miss it a little.

Questions about Alzheimers disease or a related dementia disorder? Contact Dana Territo, the Memory Whisperer, Director of Services at Alzheimers Services of the Capital Area, 334-7494, , or visit the organization at 3772 North Blvd., Baton Rouge.

Being Confused About Time Or Place

Dementia can make it hard to judge the passing of time. People may also forget where they are at any time.

They may find it hard to understand events in the future or the past and may struggle with dates.

Visual information can be challenging for a person with dementia. It can be hard to read, to judge distances, or work out the differences between colors.

Someone who usually drives or cycles may start to find these activities challenging.

A person with dementia may find it hard to engage in conversations.

They may forget what they are saying or what somebody else has said. It can be difficult to enter a conversation.

People may also find their spelling, punctuation, and grammar get worse.

Some peoples handwriting becomes more difficult to read.

A person with dementia may not be able to remember where they leave everyday objects, such as a remote control, important documents, cash, or their keys.

Misplacing possessions can be frustrating and may mean they accuse other people of stealing.

It can be hard for someone with dementia to understand what is fair and reasonable. This may mean they pay too much for things, or become easily sure about buying things they do not need.

Some people with dementia also pay less attention to keeping themselves clean and presentable.

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Signs Of Frontotemporal Dementia

A group of disorders caused by cell degeneration, frontotemporal dementia affects the brain, specifically its areas associated with personality, behavior and language. Once considered a rare disease, FTD;may account for 20-50% of dementia cases in people younger than age 65, according to the Alzheimers Association.

FTD;causes cell damage that shrinks the brains frontal and temporal lobes. The disease generally starts with personality and behavior changes and may eventually lead to severe memory loss.

Often;miscategorized as psychiatric illness,;frontotemporal dementia;typically strikes between the ages of 45 and 65. However, the;Association for Frontotemporal Dementia Degeneration ;indicates that cases have occurred as early as age 21 and as late as age 80.

Disregarding The Law And Other Social Norms

Some people with dementia lose their sense of social norms. Shoplifting; breaking into someones house; inappropriate interpersonal behaviors, such as sexual comments or actions; and even criminal behavior, according to a study published in March 2015 in the journal JAMA;Neurology, all make the list of surprising dementia symptoms. This could lead to trouble with the law, too: Early-onset dementia can hit people as early as their thirties and forties, well before anyone around them would consider their out-of-character behavior as a sign of dementia.

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If The Diagnosis Is Dementia

Dementia is one of the health conditions that people are most afraid of.

A study by the Alzheimer’s Society has shown that more than half of people wait for up to a year before getting help for dementia symptoms, because they feel afraid. But an accurate and early diagnosis can have many benefits.

After you’ve had the necessary tests , your doctor should ask if you want to know your diagnosis.

They should explain what having dementia might mean for you and give you time to talk about the condition and ask questions.

Unless you decide otherwise, your doctor, or a member of their team, should talk to you and your family or carer about:

• the type of dementia you have or, if it’s not clear, they should talk to you about being assessed again in the future
• the symptoms and how the condition might develop
• the treatments you might be offered
• the name of a health or social care professional who will co-ordinate the different types of support you need
• care and support services in your area, including support groups and voluntary organisations for people with dementia, their families and carers
• advocacy services
• how dementia will affect your driving or employment, if this applies to you
• where you can get financial and legal advice

You should also be given written information about dementia.

Signs And Symptoms Of Frontotemporal Dementia

Each case of FTD is different, but the illness generally becomes more distinguishable from other brain conditions as it progresses.;Symptoms may occur in clusters, and some may be more prevalent in early or later stages.;Here is a list of ten signs of FTD:

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When Should I Call My Healthcare Provider

If you are diagnosed with FTD, you and your caregivers should talk with your healthcare providers about when to call them. Your healthcare provider will likely advise calling if your symptoms become worse, or if you have obvious or sudden changes in behavior, personality, or speech. This includes mood changes, such as increasing depression or feeling suicidal.It can be very stressful for a caregiver to take care of a loved one with FTD. It’s normal to have feelings of denial, anger, and irritability. Caregivers may also have anxiety, depression, exhaustion, and health problems of their own. Caregivers should contact their healthcare provider if they have any of these signs of stress.

Wearing Hearing Aids Means Im Old And Im Not Ready For That

Its normal to feel worried that hearing loss means youre agingand to want to hide it. Plenty of people with a hearing impairment sit silently rather than joining in conversations and activities, because they fear that hearing problems will make them seem helpless or less than competent. The truth: Connecting with others can help your brain stay younger and keep you involved with life.

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Medicating For Pain Control

While non-drug approaches are important, many people will still benefit from prescribed pain medications. If you’ve ruled out other causes of behaviors , and you’ve determined that the person is likely experiencing pain, getting a prescription for pain medicine is a good idea.

Be wary of pain medications that are ordered on a PRN basis. Because the person with dementia might not be able to express their pain well, or might not be aware of a gradual increase in discomfort until she’s in a lot of pain, PRN pain medications are more likely to result in poorly controlled pain. Either the person doesn’t ask for it so she doesn’t receive it, or she gets it later than would have been ideal and her pain is beyond what’s normally controllable by the medication and dose prescribed. If at all possible, a routine order for pain medicine is preferable for the person with dementia.

Although family members may express the worry of possible addiction to pain medications, this is usually not a primary concern since drug-seeking behavior is not common in people with dementia. Additionally, many value quality of life which is likely to improve with adequate pain control.

Struggling To Adapt To Change

For someone in the early stages of dementia, the experience can cause fear. Suddenly, they cant remember people they know or follow what others are saying. They cant remember why they went to the store, and they get lost on the way home.

Because of this, they might crave routine and be afraid to try new experiences. Difficulty adapting to change is also a typical symptom of early dementia.

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Staring With Reduced Gaze And Trouble Reading

Reduced gaze is the clinical term for the dementia symptom that alters peoples ability to move their eyes normally. We all move our eyes and track with them frequently, says Rankin. But people showing early signs of dementia;look like theyre staring a lot. Rankin adds that, they try to read and they skip lines. This is one of the signs of dementia that the patient might not completely be aware of, although people around them probably will be.

What Is The Outlook For Frontotemporal Dementia

In the early stages, the symptoms and signs of frontotemporal dementia can be cared for and treated with good results. Late-stage frontotemporal dementia can take years to develop. As the disease progresses, 24-hour care may become necessary.

Frontotemporal dementia shortens a persons life span. The condition will eventually cause a person to have difficulty with bodily functions such as:

• swallowing

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Abnormal Buildup In The Brain

The buildup of two abnormal structures in the brain, called amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, is common in AD. The buildup may be part of the cause, although scientists are unclear about if these findings could be the result of the disease instead.

Amyloid plaques are clumps of beta-amyloid, a piece of a protein that is found in the normal brain. When these beta-amyloid proteins clump together, they form plaques that can disrupt communication between nerve cells and cause brain inflammation. People with AD have an abundance of these plaques in the hippocampus, the part of the brain involved in memory. The transfer of short-term memories into long-term memories is often disrupted in AD. Learn about other symptoms of Alzheimers disease.

Neurofibrillary tangles are fibrous tangles of an abnormal protein called tau. Tau is an important fiber-like protein that keeps microtubules in the brain stable. Microtubules move nutrients, molecules, and information to other cells. When tau is harmfully altered, possibly due to genetic mutation, the fibers get twisted up together. This makes the microtubules unstable and causes them to disintegrate. This effect can collapse the whole neuron transport system.

When To See A Doctor

Forgetfulness and memory problems dont automatically point to dementia. These are normal parts of aging and can also occur due to other factors, such as fatigue. Still, you shouldnt ignore the symptoms. If you or someone you know is experiencing a number of dementia symptoms that arent improving, talk with a doctor.

They can refer you to a neurologist who can examine you or your loved ones physical and mental health and determine whether the symptoms result from dementia or another cognitive problem. The doctor may order:

• a complete series of memory and mental tests
• a neurological exam
• brain imaging tests

If youre concerned about your forgetfulness and dont already have a neurologist, you can view doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool.

Dementia is more common in people over the age of 65, but it can also affect younger people. Early onset of the disease can begin when people are in their 30s, 40s, or 50s. With treatment and early diagnosis, you can slow the progression of the disease and maintain mental function. The treatments may include medications, cognitive training, and therapy.

Possible causes of dementia include:

• Alzheimers disease, which is the leading cause of dementia
• brain damage due to injury or stroke

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Eating Nonfood Objects And Rancid Foods

One surprising early sign of dementia is eating nonfood objects or foods that are rancid or spoiled. This is partly because the person forgets what to do with the things in front of them. For example, dementia patients might try to eat the flower in a vase on a restaurant table because they know they are there to eat, but dont know what the flower is doing there, says Rankin. Unlike some other Alzheimers symptoms or dementia symptoms, this one has few other likely explanations.

Hearing Aid Myths That Hold You Back

Can hearing aids reduce these risks? Lin hopes to find out in a new study, still in the planning stages. These studies have never been done before, he notes. What we do know is that theres no downside to using hearing aids. They help most people who try them. And in those people, they can make all the difference in the worldallowing people to reengage with friends and family and to be more involved again.

Although nearly 27 million Americans age 50 and older have hearing loss, only one in seven uses a hearing aid. If you think your hearing has diminished, its worth making an appointment with an audiologist for a hearing check, Lin says. If you have hearing loss, dont let the following myths keep you from getting help.

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Early Symptoms Of Dementia

• Prevention

Overview

Dementia is a collection of symptoms that can occur due to a variety of possible diseases. Dementia symptoms include impairments in thought, communication, and memory.

If you or your loved one is experiencing memory problems, dont immediately conclude that its dementia. A person needs to have at least two types of impairment that significantly interfere with everyday life to receive a dementia diagnosis.

In addition to difficulty remembering, the person may also experience impairments in:

• language
• reasoning

What Are The Different Types Of Dementia

Dementia can be categorized in many different ways. These categories are designed to group disorders that have particular features in common, such as whether or not they are progressive and which parts of the brain are affected.

Some types of dementia fit into more than one of these categories. For example, Alzheimers disease is considered to be both progressive and cortical dementia.

Here are some of the most commonly used groupings and their associated symptoms.

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What Is Frontotemporal Dementia

Frontotemporal dementia , a common cause of dementia, is a group of disorders that occur when nerve cells in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain are lost. This causes the lobes to shrink. FTD can affect behavior, personality, language, and movement.

These disorders are among the most common dementias that strike at younger ages. Symptoms typically start between the ages of 40 and 65, but FTD can strike young adults and those who are older. FTD affects men and women equally.

The most common types of FTD are:

• Frontal variant. This form of FTD affects behavior and personality.
• Primary progressive aphasia. Aphasia means difficulty communicating. This form has two subtypes:
• Progressive nonfluent aphasia, which affects the ability to speak.;
• Semantic dementia, which affects the ability to use and understand language. ;

A less common form of FTD affects movement, causing symptoms similar to Parkinson disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis .

The Links Between Hearing And Health

Brain scans show us that hearing loss may contribute to a faster rate of atrophy in the brain, Lin says. Hearing loss also contributes to;social isolation. You may not want to be with people as much, and when you are you may not engage in conversation as much. These factors may contribute to dementia.

As you walk, your ears pick up subtle cues that help with balance. Hearing loss mutes these important signals, Lin notes. It also makes your brain work harder just to process sound. This subconscious multitasking may interfere with some of the mental processing needed to walk safely.;

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