Symptoms and Complications
Many of us often experience forgetfulness. We may forget where we put the car keys or repeat the same story to a friend or family member. These behaviors are usually caused by the information overload of our busy and stressful lives, and it doesn't mean that we're developing dementia. As people age, they may experience memory changes, such as a slow down in processing information. This type of change is normal. By contrast, dementia is progressive and disabling and not a normal part of aging.
The true symptoms of dementia are a progressive loss of memory and other mental abilities. Dementia results in impairment of a person's ability to perform usual tasks in everyday life. There may also be changes in behavior or personality.
Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include:
- gradual loss of memory of recent events and lack of ability to learn new
things
- increasing tendency to repeat oneself, misplace objects, or become confused
- slow disintegration of personality, judgment, and social ability
- increasing irritability, anxiety, depression, confusion, and restlessness
Symptoms of vascular dementia include:
- sudden loss of memory or other mental functions
- stroke symptoms such as paralysis, difficulty with language, loss of vision
- changes in walking patterns (gait)
- early loss of bowel or bladder control
- sudden laughing or crying without reason