What Are 5 Warning Signs of Dementia?

Medically Reviewed by Dr Jessica Knape, MD MA

The HealthSpan Summary

• Dementia describes changes in memory and thinking that interfere with daily life — but early signs often develop gradually.

• The five early warning signs include:

1. Memory loss disrupting everyday tasks

2. Difficulty with planning or problem-solving

3. Trouble with language or conversations

4. Confusion about time, place, or familiar routes

5. Personality or mood changes

• Functional and precision medicine can uncover reversible contributors like hormonal imbalance, inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, and toxin exposure.

• Early evaluation offers the best chance to prevent decline and protect long-term brain health.

Key Points

• Dementia Is a Syndrome, Not a Disease: It describes a group of symptoms affecting memory and thinking, caused by conditions like Alzheimer’s, vascular disease, or neuroinflammation.

• Early Signs Are Easy to Miss: Subtle forgetfulness or problem-solving difficulties can start years before diagnosis.

• Root Causes Can Be Found: Functional medicine looks for underlying triggers like metabolic dysfunction, chronic inflammation, and hormone shifts.

• Precision Genomics Adds Insight: Tools like IntellxxDNA reveal how your genes influence detox, inflammation, and brain repair.

Early Action Is Powerful: Detecting changes early can help stabilize or even reverse mild cognitive impairment before it becomes dementia.

The Bottom Line

“Dementia” isn’t one specific disease — it’s a general term for declining memory, reasoning, or communication that affects independence. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause, but not the only one.

Other factors such as hormone imbalance, vascular changes, toxin exposure, sleep problems, and nutrient deficiencies can also affect brain function.

By identifying these contributors early, it’s often possible to slow, stop, or even reverse cognitive changes before they progress. Recognizing the early signs gives you the best chance to protect your brain.

The 5 Early Warning Signs of Dementia

1. Memory Loss That Disrupts Daily Life

Occasional forgetfulness is normal, but dementia-related memory loss interferes with daily function — repeating questions, forgetting recent events, or relying heavily on notes and reminders.

2. Difficulty Planning or Problem-Solving

Challenges following a recipe, managing finances, or organizing tasks can signal early cognitive change. These issues may stem from disrupted brain metabolism or poor blood sugar control.

3. Language and Communication Problems

Struggling to find words, losing track of conversations, or repeating oneself may point to cognitive decline. Root causes can include thyroid imbalance, hormone changes, or inflammation — all of which are treatable.

4. Confusion About Time, Place, or Routine

Losing track of days, getting lost on familiar routes, or feeling disoriented in known environments can indicate cognitive changes. Sleep apnea, poor circulation, or toxin exposure may contribute.

5. Personality or Mood Changes

New irritability, anxiety, apathy, or poor judgment can appear as brain chemistry shifts. Addressing gut health, hormone balance, and nutrient deficiencies can help stabilize mood and support brain function.

Beyond the Signs: What Can Cause Dementia-Like Symptoms

Not all memory issues mean permanent dementia. Some causes are reversible or preventable, including:

• Hormonal imbalances (thyroid, estrogen, testosterone, cortisol)

• Vitamin deficiencies (B12, D, magnesium, omega-3s)

• Sleep disorders like sleep apnea

• Medication side effects

• Depression or chronic stress

• Infections or toxin exposure (mold, heavy metals)

A functional and precision medicine evaluation looks for these root causes using advanced lab testing — so they can be corrected early.

How We Approach Memory Impairment at Healthspan Clinic

At Healthspan Internal Medicine in Boulder, CO, Dr. Jessica Knape, MD, MA, uses a Bredesen/ReCODE-informed, precision medicine model to detect and address early cognitive changes before they become permanent.

Our process includes:

1. Comprehensive History: Assessing sleep, stress, diet, environment, and hormones.

2. Advanced Testing: Labs for inflammation, metabolism, hormones, and nutrients, plus IntellxxDNA genomics to identify unique risk factors.

3. Targeted Plan: Personalized nutrition, detoxification, hormone optimization, and brain-training interventions.

4. Ongoing Monitoring: Regular follow-ups to track cognitive improvement and long-term resilience.

This proactive approach helps patients protect brain health and maintain independence for as long as possible.

When to Seek Care

Contact a healthcare provider if you or a loved one notice:

• New or worsening memory lapses

• Difficulty completing familiar tasks

• Changes in speech, mood, or personality

• Withdrawal from social activities

• Disorientation to time, place, or people

Seek emergency care immediately if these symptoms appear suddenly — especially with weakness, headache, or vision changes — as they may signal a stroke or other medical emergency.

Sources

• National Institute on Aging (NIA) — Alzheimer’s and Dementia

• Apollo Health — Setting the Record Straight: Yes, Cognitive Decline Can Be Reversed

• Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease — Precision Medicine Approach to Alzheimer’s Disease

• Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease & Parkinsonism — Reversal of Cognitive Decline: 100 Patients

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Jessica Knape, MD, MA
Healthspan Internal Medicine — serving patients in Boulder, CO

Book a Discovery Call | About Dr. Knape

This content is for educational purposes and does not replace personalized medical advice.