MCI is classified as a change in the way a person thinks, and is considered one of the early signs of dementia. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the person will develop dementia, but the risk is much greater. A person with MCI has difficulties comprehending their environment, and there are a lot of symptoms.
WHAT ARE THE FIRST SIGNS OF MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT?
The problem with MCI is that it is often confused with some other condition. It is really hard to tell if a person suffers from MCI or something else. Sometimes you cannot even spot the illness immediately. However, if a person has some of the following symptoms, he/she may have MCI.
The most common signs of mild cognitive impairment are:
- Person is easily distracted and has troubles with concentration
- They easily forget things and/or are unable to form short-term memories
- Confusion
- Depression
- Problems with completing their thoughts.
These are just the most common symptoms, and it usually takes a lot of time to confirm one is having MCI. Blood test can tell much more, as well as brain imaging.
WHAT TO DO IF MY LOVED ONE SHOWS SIGNS OF MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT?
However, if you notice your loved one is having these signs, do further research and contact a doctor. Learn as much as you can in order to provide the best possible care. Monitor your loved one’s behavior and check if their health is improving or not. In addition, it is good to keep them active all the time, so make sure they always have something to do. A proper diet, with lots of fruits and vegetables, can also help.
However, if your loved one has some other symptoms or slightly similar, check here what you need to know as a dementia caregiver.
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