Warning Signs of Cognitive Problems

We all have memory lapses and brain-foggy moments; that’s part of being human. We forget where we put down our phone, or we absentmindedly start to put the milk back in the cabinet instead of the fridge, or can’t remember the name of that actor who starred in that movie with that other actor who was in that TV series….

Even in those normal moments, though, we may pause and think: Should I be worried about this? When is a brain blip a warning sign of an actual problem?

To help you make sense of that, here are the symptoms of three types of cognitive issues: mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies.

Mild cognitive impairment

According to the US National Institute on Aging, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is when an older person has more problems with memory or thinking than others their age. The person can still go about their daily life and take care of themselves, but may show some or all of these symptoms:

Problems coming up with words; more so than others in their age group.
Missing events or appointments because they didn’t remember them.
Misplacing items regularly.
Difficulties in following the plot of a book, movie or show.
Losing one’s train of thought, or having a hard time following someone else’s conversation.
Having trouble making decisions or showing poor judgment.

Other things that a person with MCI may experience include depression or anxiety, aggressive behaviour or a short temper, and a loss of interest in usual activities, says the Mayo Clinic.

If you or someone you know is showing signs of MCI, talk to your doctor.

Alzheimer’s disease

This is the most common type of dementia, a progressive disease that’s responsible for 60-70% of dementia cases. The Alzheimer’s Association reports these symptoms:

Forgetting information that was recently learned (an early sign).
Increasing memory loss that gets in the way of daily life.
Increasing confusion about time and place.
Having trouble planning or problem-solving, such as difficulty paying bills.
Difficulty doing things that used to be familiar to them, like following the rules of a game they know well.
Problems with language, such as forgetting words, using incorrect words (calling the stove “the cooking thing”), or difficulty tracking a conversation.
Disorientation.
Losing or misplacing items.
Changes in mood and behaviour, such as confusion, fear, or anxiety about being out of their comfort zone.
Feeling suspicious of family, friends and caregivers.
Having a hard time speaking, swallowing, and walking.

Any of these symptoms should be talked about with your doctor.

Dementia with Lewy bodies

Fewer people have heard about this type of dementia, but scientists think it may be responsible for up to 20% of dementia cases. It can happen when there are abnormal deposits of a certain protein (Lewy bodies) in the brain. Many of the symptoms are similar to Alzheimer’s disease, which makes it tough to diagnose. In fact, according to the Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA), it is widely under-diagnosed.

The LBDA cites these as the most common symptoms:

Difficulty in processing information and planning.
Loss of memory
Having trouble understanding visual information.
Changes in attention or alertness.
Movement problems that include stiffness, tremors, moving slowly or having trouble walking.
Sleep disorders, including acting out dreams when sleeping.
Depression, anxiety, apathy, delusions, or other behavioural changes.
Changes in such body functions as regulating blood pressure or body temperature, or bladder/bowel control.

Early diagnosis is important: some symptoms can be helped with medication, but certain meds used to treat Alzheimer’s disease can worse symptoms of dementia with Lewy bodies.

Awareness and action

As it says above, any cognitive changes or concerns should be brought to the attention to your doctor. Another important point: sometimes it’s a friend or family member, whether that’s a spouse, sibling, or close friend, who starts to pick up on symptoms before the affected person does. So if someone you love expresses concern about your memory or changes in your mood or behaviour, don’t brush it off; listen and follow through. And show your love to others by keeping an eye on them as well.