Early Signs of Dementia in Women Doctors Say You Shouldn’t Ignore—It Can Even Raise Your Cholesterol
Plus, find out what to do if you or someone you love is having memory issues
While occasionally forgetting where you put your keys or not remembering something on your to-do list happens to all of us, frequent memory lapses may be an early sign of dementia, especially in women, where symptoms are often mistaken for normal aging. But experts say you don’t want to dismiss these changes as just part of getting older. Here’s what to know about different types of cognitive impairment, key early symptoms of dementia in women that could be missed and what to do if you notice them in yourself or someone you love.
Understanding the different types of dementia
Dementia itself is not one single condition. It’s a term that describes several types of cognitive decline, each with unique symptoms, says Neal Barnard, MD, FACC, president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and author of Power Foods for the Brain.
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Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia, causes memory loss and confusion due to brain cell damage over time. Lewy Body dementia brings movement and memory problems, along with vivid hallucinations. In contrast, vascular dementia, often caused by strokes, affects planning, thinking, speech and sometimes movement due to reduced blood flow to the brain.
One of the rarer types is frontotemporal dementia, which has made headlines since affecting actor Bruce Willis. This progressive condition is more common in older adults over age 65 and can affect personality, behavior and speech, sometimes making it hard for those affected to find the right words.
6 early dementia signs women shouldn’t ignore
“Dementia doesn’t look very different in women and men, but since women tend to live longer, people often chalk up early signs to age rather than possible dementia,” says Dr. Barnard. Here, six common early signs of dementia in women, including a surprising symptom linked to cholesterol.
1. Trouble remembering new information
People of all ages experience memory lapses from time to time. But if someone frequently forgets newly shared information—like the name of a new acquaintance or details of a recent event—there could be more to it.
“With dementia, it’s often the new information that doesn’t stick,” says Dr. Barnard. “You might recall details from years ago, but struggle with something you were told just five minutes ago.” This type of memory loss often becomes more noticeable over time and can interfere with daily life.
2. Getting lost in familiar places
Frequently getting lost or disoriented in familiar places, like your neighborhood or the grocery store, could indicate more than absentmindedness. In this case, “a simple but revealing test doctors often use is the clock-drawing test,” says Dr. Barnard. “People with dementia may have trouble placing numbers or positioning the clock’s hands correctly.” Struggling with directions or routines that were once easy is also a common symptom worth noting.
3. ‘Losing’ words
Dementia-related language issues go beyond simply blanking on a word now and then. If someone frequently “loses” words or has to use vague descriptions, like calling asparagus “that green vegetable,” it might signal cognitive decline. “In dementia, these lapses happen more frequently and words become harder to retrieve,” says Dr. Barnard.
4. Mood or personality changes
Sure, we know that menopause can trigger the occasional mood swing. But a persistent shift in mood or personality is something that should be discussed with a doctor.. “When a person’s personality starts to change—they’re unusually withdrawn, irritable or just not themselves—it could be more than just a bad day,” says Dr. Barnard.
This early sign of dementia can look different in men and women. For women, these changes may be more likely to appear as sadness or anxiety, while men might show more outward irritability or anger. “Women don’t usually display anger as readily as men,” Dr. Barnard notes. “If they’re unusually upset, withdrawn or just not themselves, it could be a sign of dementia.”
5. Difficulty reasoning or making decisions
A frustrating early sign of dementia is difficulty with tasks that require problem-solving, such as handling finances, following a recipe or planning meals. “Abstract thinking becomes challenging,” Dr. Barnard explains. “If someone is suddenly confused by tasks they once handled easily, like managing bills or following recipes, it’s worth paying attention.”
6. Cholesterol fluctuations
While many early signs of dementia in women deal with memory issues, your cholesterol could also clue you into potential trouble. “High or fluctuating levels of ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol can contribute to plaque buildup in blood vessels, including those in the brain,” says Brynna Connor, MD, Healthcare Ambassador at NorthWestPharmacy.com. “This can impair and restrict blood flow, subsequently increasing the risk of vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as serious health events such as a stroke.”
Additionally, studies have shown that high cholesterol can trigger neuroinflammation (inflammation in the brain), potentially exacerbating conditions like Alzheimer’s, as well as promote the accumulation of amyloid and tau proteins in the brain, both of which are hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease.
What to do if you notice symptoms in yourself or a loved one
If you suspect early signs of dementia, it’s important to stay calm and take proactive steps for diagnosis and management. After all, Dr. Barnard points out that not all cognitive symptoms mean dementia. Certain health issues can mimic dementia, including anemia, thyroid disorders, long-term COVID, medication interactions and vitamin deficiencies, he says. Stress and trouble sleeping are also common culprits. Still, you shouldn’t ignore symptoms either.
Instead, follow these two steps:
Schedule a doctor’s appointment
Cognitive tests, blood tests, MRI scans and even blood pressure or cholesterol checks may help pinpoint any underlying issues. If early stages of dementia are suspected, your primary care doctor may refer you to a neurologist or geriatric specialist for specific cognitive testing or brain imaging.
Consider lifestyle changes
Adopting specific lifestyle changes, such as a plant-based diet, regular exercise, and stress management, may slow or stabilize dementia symptoms, says Dr. Barnard. One recent study from the Preventive Medicine Research Institute found that combining a vegan diet with specific supplements, regular exercise, stress management and group social support stabilizes or even reverses symptoms.
Early signs of dementia: key takeaways
- Dementia is not a single condition, but a term that encompasses various types of cognitive decline, each with unique symptoms.
- Early signs in women are often mistaken for normal aging. Key symptoms include trouble remembering new information, getting lost in familiar places, losing words, changes in mood or personality, difficulty reasoning or making decisions and fluctuations in cholesterol levels.
- Diagnosis and management involve consulting a doctor for cognitive tests, blood tests and possibly brain imaging.
- Lifestyle changes that can help may include a plant-based diet, regular exercise and stress management.
An AI tool helped compile and summarize the key takeaways in this story. The story was then edited by Woman’s World staff.
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