Physical symptoms of dementia
Different types of dementia can cause differing physical symptoms. The issues experienced are varied and often linked to co-ordination and balance. They can include serious symptoms, like seizures, or vague problems that can be dismissed as ‘ageing’, such as generalised muscle weakness or the need to dash to the loo.
Other symptoms include:
Problems with balance
Issues with co-ordination
Difficulties with your bowels or bladder control
Stiffness
An inability to ‘pick your feet up’ when you walk – resulting in a shuffling gait or drag
Muscle weakness, twitches and tiredness
Problems sleeping i.e. waking up a lot and/or trouble going off to sleep
Seizures
Finding it difficult to sit down and hard to stand back up again
Temporary paralysis
Falling
Fainting
Slowing down, generally
Feeling drowsy
If you’re experiencing these symptoms and have a feeling you might have dementia, it’s important that you tell someone about them. Make a note of them, tell your family or someone close to you what’s happening, and make an appointment with your GP.
What helps with physical issues
Small changes can help with physical symptoms associated with dementia and include:
Eating well and staying hydrated
Getting your hearing and eye sight checked
Creating a routine
Staying active
Ensuring you get enough sleep
How to cope with physical symptoms
As well as speaking to those closest to you, it’s also important that you speak to your GP about any physical issues you’re experiencing so you can be checked over and the cause of your issues confirmed. If you take regular medication, it might be a good idea to ask for a medication review, too.
Tell your doctor what you’re worried about and be honest if you think you need to seek a dementia diagnosis. You can read more about what to do about that here
Of course, if you experience paralysis or have a seizure don’t wait for a GP appointment, call 999 for an ambulance.
If you’re experiencing problems with balance, walking and sitting, you can be referred to a physiotherapist and/or an occupational health specialist who can assess your needs and give advice on how to improve posture and stability. You can be referred to a falls prevention service if frequent falls are an issue so that any risk is managed.
Living with physical issues doesn’t mean that you can’t stay active and in fact, it’s important for your overall wellbeing that you get out and about, keep moving and retain hobbies and interests.