Dementia symptoms are generally hard to ignore, but they may be preceded by physical changes that aren’t so obvious.
According to Medical Director at Detox Dr Michael S. Valdez, physical signs of brain decline may show up in the way we walk and move – sometimes long before an official diagnosis.
While symptoms will vary between individuals and different types of dementia, physical changes underline abnormalities in the brain.
“As with any form of dementia, the early symptoms can vary,” Dr Valdez told GB News.
Silent shaking of the hands could be associated with dementia
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“Most common and alarming warning signs are slower than usual movements, stiffness of the muscles or soft, silent shaking of the hands.”
According to the expert, subtle changes in how a person walks, decreased movement and issues with balance are all key early indicators.
The expert told GB News: “Sometimes physical symptoms manifest prior to observable cognitive changes.
“Examples could be subtle changes in gait, a decrease in movements, or issues with balance.”
Though the signs are subtle at first, they’ll likely become harder to ignore over time, noted Dr Valdez.
“These changes stem from areas of the brain whose functional capacities are due to neurodegenerative processes in dementia, like the motor cortex or basal ganglia,” he explained.
“For example, with Lewy body dementia, most people would even develop such physical symptoms as rigidity and shuffling gait early on, even in the absence of advanced cognitive decline.”
As dementia progresses, physical abilities decline, often overlapping with age-related changes.
Physical signs of dementia may show up in the absence of brain decline
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But Dr Valdez highlighted a key factor that can distinguish dementia-related physical symptoms from typical age-related changes.
“Unlike age-related changes, there are noticeable disruptions in daily activities,” Dr Valdez pointed out.
“Accompanying such remarkable symptoms, however, changes with enduring progressive structure tend to occur.
“For instance, problems in a person’s ability to tackle daily living activities or tasks that they previously found quite easy.”
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