The warning signs of dementia to spot when you wake up - and how to reduce your risk
The signs of brain decline can surface first thing in the morning
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Memory loss is a hallmark feature of dementia but it's not the only warning sign to be aware of.
How you wake up in the morning can also signal the presence of brain decline.
Understanding the symptoms matters because dementia is not going anywhere.
The number of people with dementia in the UK is projected to increase from around one million in 2024 to 1.4 million by 2040. This is due to myriad factors, including people living longer and increased awareness.
There is no cure for dementia but spotting it early enough can prolong quality of life and help you to get everything in order.
Researchers found a correlation between agitation and the presence of dementia
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What to look for in the morning
A study published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry investigated the possible correlations between dementia and agitation in the morning.
Data were collected from three independent nursing homes in an urban setting. Trained nursing home staff pre-selected 110 dementia and agitated patients with a minimum age of 60 years. Three main groups were formed based on agitation peak either: in the morning, evening or none.
Agitation was assessed by the same staff twice a day for a two-week timeframe.
Sixty-three (60 per cent) of all patients were depressive but only 16 patients of them were treated with antidepressants.
What did the researchers find out?
In the population study, agitation was slightly more common in dementia patients in the morning than in the evening, suggesting a link between morning agitation and the presence of dementia.
According to the Mayo Clinic, waking up early in the morning may also signal the presence of dementia.
Dementia can disrupt the body's natural sleep-wake cycle, causing people to sleep excessively during the day and sleep less at night.
Early risers may also be at an increased risk. A study by Alzheimer's Research UK found no evidence that sleep patterns cause Alzheimer's disease but did find a small link between morning people and increased genetic risk for brain decline.
Thankfully, most people are not genetically predisposed to dementia and much can be done to modify the risk.
LATEST HEALTH DEVELOPMENTS
The key is to live a healthy lifestyle.
A Mediterranean diet may help maintain brain function and slow the development of Alzheimer's, numerous studies suggest.
One study, published in Neurology, found that people who followed a Mediterranean diet had thicker cortical brain regions, which may be beneficial because these regions shrink in people with Alzheimer's.
The Mediterranean diet emphasises the following:
Staying mentally active can help reduce the risk of dementia. This can include reading, learning a foreign language, playing an instrument, volunteering, or engaging in sports, says the NHS.
A Mediterranean diet may help maintain brain function and slow the development of Alzheimer's, numerous studies suggest.
One study, published in Neurology, found that people who followed a Mediterranean diet had thicker cortical brain regions, which may be beneficial because these regions shrink in people with Alzheimer's.
The Mediterranean diet emphasises the following:
- Vegetables, fruits, and herbs
- Whole grains
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Fish and seafood
- Nuts and seeds
- Legumes or beans
- Moderate amounts of dairy
- Moderate amounts of poultry and eggs
Staying mentally active can help reduce the risk of dementia. This can include reading, learning a foreign language, playing an instrument, volunteering, or engaging in sports, says the NHS.