Memory and reasoning abilities are significantly impacted by mild cognitive impairment (MCI), yet many people with this condition are nevertheless able to carry out daily tasks on their own. People with MCI are more prone to acquire Alzheimer's disease and related dementias even though the symptoms of MCI are milder than those of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
Signs and Symptoms
MCI is a condition that occurs between normal aging and dementia. Memory loss, like Alzheimer's, is a common early symptom of MCI. The chart below shows how signs and symptoms can manifest differently.
Causes and Risk Factors
A person's family history, education level, a brain injury, exposure to pesticides or pollutants, a lack of physical activity, and chronic diseases like Parkinson's disease, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke are all risk factors. People can reduce their risk of cognitive impairment by maintaining healthy blood sugar and cholesterol levels and staying active. There is currently no cure for cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease or the dementias that it is associated with. However, some conditions, including medicine side effects, depression, and a vitamin B12 deficiency, can be treated. Cognitive impairment may result from certain conditions. Because of this, it's important to identify people who are showing signs of cognitive impairment so that a healthcare professional may evaluate them and determine what kind of care or therapy is needed.
You can take several steps to lessen your risk of MCI turning into dementia. You can live happily with MCI if you establish a way to deal with your cognitive impairments.
Tips on managing Mild Cognitive Impairment
- Even if you feel fine, take any recommended medications (such as those for blood pressure) as directed by your doctor. It will assist in managing underlying medical issues.
- Avoid being anxious or stressed out since these emotions can make memory or thinking difficulties worse.
- Having a regular schedule will minimize memory issues, but be sure to mix up your days occasionally to avoid becoming bored. To make things easy to find, try to keep everything in the same location at all times.
- To help you remember appointments and significant occasions, use calendars, diaries, or electronic device reminders.
- Try to break down tasks into manageable steps, and then concentrate on one step at a time.
- Ask your doctor about memory support groups for people with MCI in your area.
To help your loved one:
- Support them in managing any heart conditions, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes as needed.
- Encourage a healthy lifestyle including regular exercise, a healthy diet, and social activities.
- Encourage the use of long-time skills, like playing the piano, singing, typing, crafts, or speaking a second language.
When symptoms begin to impact everyday life, more significant issues such as frontotemporal dementia, Alzheimer's disease, early-onset Alzheimer's, dementia with Lewy bodies, and other dementias are frequently identified. It helps to be aware of the warning signs and when to visit a doctor, as up to 40% of dementia cases can be avoided or prevented.