2024-03-06 13:13:00
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A strong urge to move during a sleep phase can herald dementia years in advance. Therefore, pay attention to the first signs.
In Germany, the number of dementia sufferers is constantly increasing: According to the German Alzheimer Society At the end of 2021, almost 1.8 million people in this country were living with dementia. An increase in cases of the disease has also been recorded among younger people. What many people don’t know is that certain living conditions and risk factors can also promote dementia and Alzheimer’s. According to the… Federal Ministry of Health There is currently no therapy for most diseases that slows down the brain damage caused by Alzheimer’s or even leads to a cure. However, certain medications can help temporarily improve dementia symptoms in some patients. This makes it all the more important to recognize the suffering early. The beginnings of the disease can lie decades before it is diagnosed. A sign that suggests a possible future illness occurs during sleep.
Dementia: Disturbances in sleep can be announced years in advance
A disruption in REM sleep can be an early sign of later dementia. © Monkeybusiness/IMAGO
Dementia and Parkinson’s are neurodegenerative diseases that are usually only diagnosed when the symptoms are already severe. However, both dementia and Parkinson’s disease can be announced by early warning signals. At the beginning of dementia, short-term memory and memory impairments often occur. As the process progresses, long-term memory content that has already been memorized disappears. As a result, patients gradually lose skills and abilities that they have acquired throughout their lives. The typical symptoms of dementia include:
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- Forgetfulness and confusion
- Loss of sense of smell
- Disorientation
- Aggressiveness and aging
- Depression
- Personality changes
- Delusions and hallucinations
- Language difficulties
- Decreasing activity
- Problems coping with everyday life
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Dementia: Scientists discover early warning signs in sleep behavior
However, the brain can send subtle signals that indicate dementia long before diagnosis. According to the results of a study from Canada, so-called REM sleep behavior disorder is a warning sign of brain diseases that appear about 15 years later. People who constantly hit or kick around in their dreams at night are said to have an 80 to 100 percent higher risk of developing a neurodegenerative disease such as dementia or Parkinson’s.
Of course, not every nightmare has to be a sign of illness. When it comes to sleep disorders, it is crucial that the urge to move occurs during REM sleep. This sleep phase is also called paradoxical or desynchronized sleep and affects around a quarter of our sleep. It is characterized, among other things, by higher blood pressure, faster pulse and rapid eye movements when the eyelids are closed, while at the same time the muscles are flaccid. However, if the disorder occurs during sleep, the physical activity corresponds to vivid dreams and the body moves as violently as the eyes. Another study by scientists at Boston University also shows that shortened REM sleep phases also increase the risk of disease. You can find out how high your own risk of dementia or that of your relatives is using a simple test.
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This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions.
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