Dr. Natali Edmonds has taken to TikTok to share the ‘surprising’ signs of dementia that not many people know about. And people people who have love ones suffering concurred
It’s a real concern when you think a family member or friend might be showing early signs of dementia.
The condition can be tricky to spot in the initial stages, often mimicking symptoms of less serious health issues, leaving many unsure about when to raise the alarm.
While memory loss is a well-known indicator of dementia, are you clued up on the other, less obvious signs that could suggest someone is battling with the illness?
One medic has turned to TikTok to enlighten her followers about the subtler symptoms of dementia. Dr. Natali Edmonds, who goes by @dementia_careblazers on the platform, regularly educates her 37,800 fans about various aspects of dementia.
In one of her recent posts, she highlighted ‘5 surprising signs of dementia you may not know about’. She began with: “Lack of facial expressions even when talking about something exciting.”
Next, she tackled hallucinations – “seeing things when they’re not there” and illustrated this as she was seen talking next to an unoccupied chair. Her third sign was a change in the way people walk, as she showed someone with dementia may walk slowly or with a shuffle.
Her fourth insight was that individuals with dementia can appear completely normal at times. While the fifth sign was that some can maintain “really good language skills” despite their diagnosis.
The video posted online soon went viral, garnering more than 16,000 likes. Several people took the chance to share their experiences with dementia in the comments section too.
One user wrote: “The change in walking for sure with my mum.” While another corroborated: “I have experienced this in my own family.” A third poignantly chimed in with: “My mum in her last stage,” to which the doctor replied sympathetically: “Sending you love.”
One person sought out clarification on one of the symptoms by asking: “Can someone explain the walking stage? ” Dr Edmonds explained it is affected by several things, including damage to the motor part of the brain, fear of falling and changes in vision.
Beyond the signs pointed out by Dr Edmonds, some more prominent indicators of dementia include trouble with communicating, issues with organisation such as forgetting appointments, fluctuating mood and visual disturbances.
If any such symptoms are causing concern, it is recommended to consult with a GP who can conduct tests to rule out other conditions that may mimic dementia-like symptoms, like thyroid problems or vitamin deficiencies, before a referral for additional testing can be made if needed.
You can call the Dementia UK helpline for free on 0800 888 6678 or email helpline@dementiauk.org
