5 early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, and 7 ways to prevent this type of dementia

Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease: If you’ve begun losing track of names, conversations, recent events or appointments daily, it may not be just ordinary forgetfulness (Image: Pexels)

• Early Alzheimer’s signs include memory lapses, confusion, and mood changes
• Exercise, diet, and mental activity may reduce Alzheimer’s risk.
• Strong social ties, stress management, and avoiding smoking support brain health

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Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, which affects memory, thinking and one’s ability to complete daily tasks. Though most people think of it as a problem of older age, the earliest changes can begin years or even decades before symptoms become apparent. It is easy to ignore forgetfulness or personality changes as part of normal aging, but it is critical to identifying problems early. The earlier symptoms are picked up, the sooner patients and families can come to terms with treatment, lifestyle support and potentially slow progression down.

New research indicates that the risk of developing Alzheimer’s diseasedepends not only on our genes, but also methylation patterns in our DNA. Brain resilience is indeed strongly influenced by proper nutrition, mental stimulation, physical activity, social interaction and even stress reduction. “If you’re not exercising your brain, it’s like any other organ in the body that ages,” Dr Ashok Chandra, a neurologist at the Center for Cognitive Health, tells Moneycontrol.

“But then we can slow down mental decline as much as possible. As people form habits that increase the strength of brain connections, they construct what we refer to as a cognitive reserve — so the brain becomes more resistant to breaking down,” he adds.

Also read | 5-minute daily habits to boost brain health, memory, and focus

Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease

While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, addressing these symptoms early and establishing brain-healthy habits can help. Here are some common early signs to look for and everyday habits that could lower the chances.

Frequent memory lapses

If you’ve begun losing track of names, conversations, recent events or appointments daily, it may not be just ordinary forgetfulness.

Difficulty solving problems or planning

In fact, everyday activities such as keeping track of bills, reading recipes and scheduling appointments can become more perplexing.

Repetitive speech or actions

People may ask the same questions, say the same statements or perform activities again without realising it.

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Confusion about time and place

Early signs of disorientation, such as forgetting the day or becoming lost in familiar places, are typical.

Mood or personality changes

Atypical anxiety, irritability, withdrawal or loss of interest in hobbies might also crop up as brain chemistry changes.

How to prevent Alzheimer’s

Do aerobic exercise regularly

Exercises that get your blood moving, like walking, swimming or dancing, improve circulation to the brain and help neuron growth.

Follow a brain-healthy diet

Mediterranean or MIND-style diets with high intakes of leafy greens, fish, berries, olive oil and nuts have been shown to decrease inflammation and oxidative stress.

Stay mentally active

Reading and learning new skills, puzzles and memory games all challenge the brain, helping to keep neural pathways open and cognitive plasticity possible.

Maintain strong social connections

This sense of connection and sharing that we feel in close relationships is also the antidote to stress. Meaningful relationships and conversations reduce your overall levels of tension, which contributes to better brain health.

Manage stress and sleep

Chronic stress and sleep deprivation speed the aging of your brain. Neural function can be restored by relaxation techniques and sleeping 7–8 h per night.

Control blood pressure and cholesterol

Heart and brain health are strongly linked; controlling your heart issues can help reduce your dementia risk.

Avoid smoking and excess alcohol

Either way, they speed cognitive decline by injuring brain cells and impairing healthy blood flow.

While Alzheimer’s disease can’t be prevented, adopting the habits early — and sticking to them over time — can help preserve long-term brain health and lower your lifetime risk.

FAQs on Symptoms of Dementia

1. What are the early symptoms of dementia?

Early symptoms include frequent memory lapses, difficulty solving problems or planning, repetitive speech or actions, confusion about time and place, and mood or personality changes.

2. How does memory loss manifest in dementia?

Memory lapses involve losing track of names, conversations, recent events, or appointments on a daily basis, beyond ordinary forgetfulness.

3. What changes in daily activities may indicate dementia?

Everyday tasks such as keeping track of bills, reading recipes, and scheduling appointments become increasingly perplexing.

4. How can repetitive behaviour indicate dementia?

People may ask the same questions, make the same statements, or perform activities repeatedly without realising it.

5. What lifestyle habits can help prevent dementia?

Regular aerobic exercise, a brain-healthy diet, staying mentally active, maintaining social connections, managing stress and sleep, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol, and avoiding smoking and excess alcohol can help preserve brain health and lower dementia risk.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.