Dementia: The most common early sign of the worrying condition revealed

According to NHS data, more than 850,000 people in the UK live with dementia.

The condition affects one in 14 Brits over the age of 65 and one in six over 80.

The number of those with dementia is increasing as people are living longer. Researchers estimate that it will reach 1 million by 2025.

Memory loss is one of the most talked about symptoms of the condition as it massively impacts patients' relationships with their loved ones.

But there are subtler warning signsthat appear early and can help recognise the disease in its initial stage, resulting in a better quality of life. Neurologists reveal what they are and what you can do about it.

Meanwhile, scientists found a surprising linkbetween your groceries and dementia.

Here is what we know about Bruce Willis' diagnosis with the incurable condition.

Also, some experts suggest that dementia could be caused by the air we breath, here are more details.

The trouble with a sense of direction can indicate dementia

According to Dr Arif Dalvi, a neurologist and physician chief of the Movement Disorders Program at Delray Medical Center, difficulties with language - trouble finding the word, incorrect sentence construction or self-expression struggle - can appear well before the loss of memory and signal dementia.

Although we all may experience them sometimes, experts advise people to watch out for when it becomes a pattern.

Another early symptom of the disease is a change in your sense of direction.

Dr Delvi added:

Visual or spatial skills can also be affected early. A common way this presents is difficulty navigating a previously familiar route or needing GPS directions to a route that was previously known.

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Here are other symptoms of dementia

Less-known symptoms of dementia include difficulty completing familiar tasks, noise sensitivity and a change in taste and smell.

Dr Delvi says that an abrupt change in personality or mood without underlying explanation ‘should also raise a red flag’.

Dr Stanley Appel, neurologist and director of the Ann Kimball & John W. Johnson Center for Cellular Therapeutics at Houston Methodist revealed:

Some types of dementia, such as Lewy body dementia, can cause hallucinations or delusions.

He warned that hallucinations can also ‘result from other causes’ and advised to discuss any ‘unusual symptoms’ with a health care provider.

An early diagnosis can improve the quality of life

Experts emphasise that although there is no cure for dementia, an early diagnosis can improve quality of life and stop the disease from progressing as quickly.

Dr Appel believes that ‘traditional treatment options’ - medication, lifestyle changes and referrals to occupational and speech therapy and support services - are ‘vital in maintaining cognitive function and overall well-being’.

He said that doctors are working on other innovative approaches to treatment, such as neuroinflammation suppression with regulatory T-cells (Tregs) and gene therapy.

The expert added:

These breakthroughs in medical science offer hope for individuals with dementia and their families.

Although there is no 'official' age to get a dementia screening, doctors advise those turning 65 to have a mini cognitive assessment.

Specialists can detect reversible causes of memory loss, like a vitamin B12 deficiency or hypothyroidism.

Dr Appel said:

There should be no stigma associated with screening for dementia. An early and accurate diagnosis allows a plan to be put in place for either treating or slowing the cause of dementia.

Read more:

⋙ Dementia: These common foods can increase your risk

⋙ These low-paying jobs found to increase risk of dementia - new study

Sources used:

- Huffington Post: 'This Is The Most Commonly Missed Warning Sign Of Dementia'