Medical experts are highlighting physical indicators that may signal the onset of dementia, a term covering cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s. Dr. Stephanie Nothelle, a geriatrician at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, noted that approximately 7 million Americans currently have dementia, with that figure projected to double by 2060. According to Nothelle, the transition from mild impairment to dementia occurs when cognitive issues begin to interfere with daily functions, such as the ability to drive or manage finances.
While dementia is primarily associated with memory loss, clinicians identified several physical signs that often accompany the disease. Dr. Jori Fleisher of Rush University noted that balance issues, frequent falls, and changes in walking speed or posture can be indicators. These motor changes occur because walking requires significant brain power to process sensory information from the feet and eyes. Additionally, unexplained changes in the sense of taste or smell, particularly associated with Lewy body dementia, may be noticed by family members before the patient.
Other physical symptoms include difficulty swallowing, which Nothelle explained can lead to food or fluid entering the lungs. This condition, known as aspiration pneumonia, is common in the later stages of the disease. Nerve degeneration related to dementia can also cause bladder incontinence, while new instances of constipation can also be a sign of Parkinson’s and related conditions. Furthermore, REM behavior disorder—characterized by shouting, punching, or moving during sleep—can precede other symptoms of Parkinson’s or Lewy body dementia by several years.
A person noticing these symptoms would likely experience changes in their daily physical safety and household management. The onset of incontinence or sleep disorders can significantly alter the day-to-day care needs for aging adults. According to Fleisher and Nothelle, early detection allows doctors to use biomarkers in blood or spinal fluid to identify specific types of dementia and tailor pharmaceutical options accordingly.
For the healthcare system and public policy, the doubling of dementia cases by 2060 suggests a growing demand for care resources. Current research is focused on finding new pharmaceutical treatments, and doctors emphasize that managing chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea may help lower risk. Individuals who observe persistent patterns of these physical changes are advised by medical professionals to contact a healthcare provider for evaluation and to discuss potential lifestyle adjustments, such as the MIND diet and regular exercise.