According to the World Health Organisation, currently, more than 55 million people have dementia worldwide, over 60% of whom live in low-and middle-income countries such as Nigeria.
The global health body adds that every year, there are nearly 10 million new cases of the brain condition that causes a decline in cognitive abilities, such as thinking, memory, and reasoning, that interferes with daily life.
While experts note that dementia is not a normal part of aging, they say the condition is more common in older people.
Doctors say dementia results from a variety of diseases and injuries that affect the brain, and that it is especially likely in people over the age of 65.
Neurologists say dementia is a progressive, neurological disease that may present as forgetting things, feeling anxious, struggling to make decisions and more.
Noticing these symptoms can be scary, they say; and being on constant alert may not be the best way to protect your mental health and emotional well-being but, at the same time, knowing what symptoms to spot can be helpful. Those symptoms aren’t always expected, either, doctors note.
dementia is not a normal part of aging, but the condition is more common in older people
They also note that one dementia sign can show up while you’re showering: Not being able to smell or recognize the scent of your soap, shampoo or body wash — barring other health issues that can impact your sense of smell, like COVID-19 or a stuffy nose.
How dementia impacts someone’s ability to smell
First, it’s important to note that a loss of smell at an older age isn’t necessarily a sign of dementia.
“As we age, it’s normal for our senses to change,” says Dr. Meredith Bock, a board-certified neurologist and chief medical officer at Remo Health. “For people living with dementia, these changes can be more noticeable.”
Dr. Fouzia Siddiqui, another neurologist and sleep center medical director for Sentara RMH Medical Center, speaks to the link. “An increased risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease dementia has been identified in subjects with olfactory dysfunction,” she says. “Odour identification has been identified as a useful screening tool that predicts conversion from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s disease dementia.”
Basically, this happens because dementia is a neurodegenerative disease. It affects the brain, which, in turn, affects the senses (and other bodily functions).
Odour identification has been identified as a useful screening tool that predicts conversion from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s disease dementia
“The process of neurodegeneration that causes dementia can also affect sensation and sensory processing related to smell, making it harder for them to recognize familiar scents like their favorite shampoo or body wash,” Dr. Bock says.
The loss of smell typically occurs slowly over time, neurologists say, and it can actually happen before a person notices any cognitive impairment.
“In the case of Lewy body dementia (LBD), olfactory dysfunction seems to be part of the disease process, and generally it precedes symptoms by almost a decade, in some cases,” adds Dr. Siddiqui.
Also, it’s important to note that the type of dementia matters when considering this symptom. Dr. Bock says that the loss of smell might not be noticeable for someone with Alzheimer’s; however, for people with LBD and Parkinson’s disease, it’s typically common and noticeable.
“My recommendation to someone who may experience a loss of smell is to consult your physician for a cognitive screen and physical examination,” Dr. Bock says.
Contributions from additional online sources
