7 subtle signs of dementia most people miss
Published on: Nov. 12, 2025, 11:32 a.m. | Source: Times of India
Dementia, a common and disabling disease that affects the brain, occurs when brain cells are damaged or die, leading to progressive declines in cognitive functions, mood, behavior, and personality. It’s an umbrella term used to describe a range of neurological conditions affecting the brain that worsen over time, and it remains one of the world’s most urgent public health challenges. There are currently over 55 million people with dementia worldwide, with nearly 10 million new cases of dementia developing each year. The number of people with dementia is growing worldwide and is expected to triple by 2050.When we think of dementia, images of forgetting names, misplacing keys, or losing track of the date often come to mind. Yet, the earliest signs of dementia can be far subtler — easily brushed off as “just ageing” or stress.However, research shows that changes in mood, mobility, language, and even sleep may emerge years before the more familiar memory problems become obvious. Recognising these early shifts gives individuals and families a chance to act sooner, accessing support, exploring lifestyle adjustments, and seeking medical advice before the condition progresses.
