Khaberni - General practitioner Johannes Oweis, from the Broadgate Clinic for General Medicine in London, revealed that dementia is not only limited to memory loss, but also includes disturbances in thinking, emotions, speech, and cognitive abilities over time.
Oweis explained that early diagnosis is essential to establish an effective treatment plan that helps manage symptoms and improve quality of life, despite there being no final cure for the disease to date.
Oweis noted that some physical signs may precede cognitive decline, particularly in cases of dementia associated with Parkinson's disease, confirming that symptoms vary from person to person, and that recognizing them in their early stages contributes to rapid medical intervention. He mentioned that there are four main signs that require attention: unstable or stumbling gait, a sensation of heaviness in movement or slow motor performance, difficulty in coordinating fine movements, and trembling or stiffness in the limbs. He emphasized the need to consult a specialist doctor when any of these signs appear, as early detection provides a better chance to support the patient and control the symptoms in their initial stages.
He confirmed that the risk factors for developing dementia vary between those that cannot be controlled, such as aging, and those that can be mitigated by adopting a healthy lifestyle. He explained that the preventive measures recommended by the UK National Health Service (NHS) include regular exercise, following a balanced diet rich in vegetables and fruits, maintaining a healthy and stable weight, quitting smoking, and reducing the consumption of alcohol and cholesterol, and decreasing intake of saturated fats, salt, and sugar, while increasing dietary fiber intake.
He concluded that these steps do not completely prevent dementia, but they do help reduce the likelihood of developing it and delay the onset of symptoms, especially in populations most susceptible with age, affirming that early awareness and regular medical screening are the main factors in improving the quality of life of patients.
