Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for about 60 to 70% of cases
Memory loss and confusion are perhaps among the first symptoms you associate with Alzheimer’s disease. But a doctor has now warned of several other signs that can be easily mistaken for stress or burnout.
Dr Martin Thornton, Chief Medical Officer at Bluecrest, has urged people to watch out for worrying symptoms to detect potential health problems early. Beyond confusion, this may also involve difficulty concentrating at work, struggling to find the right words in conversations, or losing track of time more frequently.
Speaking with the Mirror, Dr Thornton said: “We’ve all found things slipping our minds during busy work periods, but persistent or worsening brain changes could signal something deeper, even at a young age.
“Keep a track of experiences that worry you, and be mindful of intense stress, which can contribute to inflammaging, increasing your risk of neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s. If in doubt, ensure you’re regularly monitoring your health so that you can spot issues before they develop further.”
Dr Thornton’s views come as over 944,000 people are living with dementia in the UK, according to NHS estimates. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form, accounting for about 60 to 70% of cases, according to the World Health Organisation.
While Dr Thornton explained that everyone sometimes struggles to concentrate or find the right words, symptoms could indicate a more serious issue if they interfere with important responsibilities and daily tasks.
This also relates to unexplained increases in irritability and anxiety regarding usual routines, as well as challenges in adjusting to changes.
Dr Thornton continued: “We’ve all made errors of judgement at various times in our life. The problem is when these errors of judgement start to get in the way of key responsibilities, whether it’s forgetting to pick a child up from school, or cutting important corners in a work project, these mistakes could be a sign of impaired reasoning, an early sign of Alzheimer’s.”
Later, he added: “Life is full of significant changes, which can throw all of us off course at some point. It’s normal to be jarred by big changes, but if you’re finding even the smallest changes to your routine difficult, it might signal a deeper issue that you’re finding it difficult to process new information, an early sign of cognitive decline.”
Beyond this, Dr Thornton stressed the importance of looking out for any strange physical symptoms, too. While stiffness from sitting at an office all day is common, frequent loss of balance or stumbling could be warning signs.
He said: “Lots of us will have stiffness from sitting at a desk all day, or from physically intense jobs, but when you start noticing more frequent physical symptoms, such as stumbling, losing your balance or difficulty buttoning up your shirt, it could point to something more serious.
“These physical symptoms may be connected to changes in the brain’s motor functions, which can be an early sign of Alzheimer’s.” Anyone concerned about these symptoms is advised to consult a GP for further guidance.
You can also find out more about typical Alzheimer’s symptoms at the NHS website here.
Ten potential Alzheimer’s symptoms often mistaken for stress
Having these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have Alzheimer’s disease, but they are warning signs to be aware of.
- Memory lapses affecting daily tasks
- Difficulty concentrating at work
- Challenges with planning or problem-solving
- Struggling with words in conversations or emails
- Pulling back from work or social interaction
- Poor judgment or unusual decision-making
- Difficulty adapting to changes
- Losing track of time or place
- Changes in mood or personality at work and home
- Unexplained physical symptoms or coordination issues (stumbling, losing balance or difficulty putting on clothes)