Good Lifestyle

More than six million Americans Living with dementia, a neurodegenerative disease that takes more than 100,000 lives each year, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It is estimated that almost half of American adults over 55 are developing dementia .

However, a new meta-analysis revealed that it took an average of four years to diagnose dementia in patients, even in the presence of early symptoms. But what is even more alarming, according to the Alzheimer's association , is that Alzheimer's disease (the most common type of dementia) starts 20 years or more before the symptoms are manifested.

In relation: Doctors warn that common drugs can be linked to the risk of dementia .

“During these years, the brain compensates for changes using other neural networks to allow individuals to continue to work normally. When the brain can no longer compensate and the cognitive problems interfere with the ability of a person to perform daily tasks such as driving, cooking or cleaning, a person would have dementia, ”explains the organization.

It is estimated that Alzheimer represents 60 to 80% of all cases of dementia. Because symptoms develop over time, they are often overlooked as age-related natural changes (that is, forgetting the plans or equal the articles around the house). This means that a majority of patients are not medically diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's disease until the disease has progressed.

It turned out to be true in a new study published in the International Journal of Gériatric Psychiatry , in which a majority of patients with dementia and early dementia have received delayed diagnoses.

Researchers from the University College London have systematically examined 13 studies previously published, involving 30,257 patients with dementia in Europe, the United States, Australia and China. They measured the average time between the appearance of symptoms (determined by patients or family caregivers via medical interviews or files) and the official diagnosis. Age at first varied from 54 to 93 years.

The results have shown that most patients with dementia are not diagnosed for 3.5 years after the first sign of symptoms. The interval was even longer for people with early early dementia, with an average of 4.1 years until diagnosis. In addition, the authors noted that "certain groups [are] more likely to undergo longer delays".

"The appropriate time diagnosis can improve access to treatments and for some people prolong the time to live with light dementia before the symptoms get worse", principal author Vasiliki Orgeta , PHD, an associate professor of the Psychiatry Division at the University of the London College, said in A press release .

In relation: Eat these foods 2 times a week reduces the risk of Alzheimer's 47%, a new study reveals .

The signs of early alert of dementia and Alzheimer's disease often include names of forgetting, birth dates and upcoming plans, or mood and behavior changes. As explained by the Alzheimer's association, here 10 common signs and symptoms dementia and Alzheimer's:

• Memory loss that disrupts the start of life / forget new information
• Fighting to develop or follow a plan / work with figures
• Difficulty performing familiar or routine tasks
• Lose track of the dates, seasons or passages of time
• Vision changes (this can have an impact on balance and see colors)
• Problem with the follow -up or seal of a conversation / repeat stories
• Lost things And Be unable to trace their steps
• Decline of judgment and decision -making
• Withdraw from hobbies and social activities
• Mood changes and personality (feeling confused, suspect, depressed, fearful or anxious more than "normal")

Many of these symptoms can be confused with typical age -related changes. Different interpretation not only delays the diagnostic process, but also allows the disease to progress without appropriate intervention.

Phuong Leung , PHD, also of the UCL psychiatry division, said in the press release: "The symptoms of dementia are often confused with normal aging, while fear, stigma and low awareness of the public can discourage people from asking for help."

"Our work highlights the need for a clear conceptual framework in diagnostic time in dementia, developed in collaboration with people with dementia, their caregivers and supporters," added Orgeta.

In relation: Doctors warn that you don't get enough of this vitamin to protect against strokes and dementia .

Dementia has no remedy. However, with medication and good tools, symptoms are manageable and it is possible to slow down the progression of the disease. This is why an earlier diagnosis of dementia is essential.

"We need action on several fronts," said Orgeta.

"Public awareness campaigns can help improve understanding of early symptoms and reduce stigma, encouraging people to ask for help earlier," said Orgeta. "The training of clinicians is essential to improve early recognition and reference, as well as access to early intervention and individual support so that people with dementia and their families can get the help they need."

If you notice changes in memory, vision or mood, talk to your doctor immediately.