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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Mya Bollan & Lucy Farrell & Abbie Meehan

Dementia warning signs uncovered as food cravings may be unusual symptom

Craving certain foods could be a sign of dementia, according to health experts.

Dementia is an umbrella term for various conditions that cause memory loss and impairment, reports the Daily Record.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of the condition, with vascular dementia making up the majority of other cases in the UK.

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However, there are other rare forms of dementia that affect different parts of the body. One such condition is known as frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which causes issues with behaviour and language.

This condition also potentially alters the person's go-to food cravings.

Leading charity Alzheimer's UK states that patients suffering with FTD may "crave sweet, fatty foods, or carbohydrates and forget their table manners".

They added: "They may also no longer know when to stop eating, drinking alcohol, or smoking."

According to statistics, dementia is the UK's biggest killer - with approximately 67,000 people across the country dying from the disease every year.

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As well as changes in eating habits, those with FTD will experience symptoms such as:

  • Being insensitive or rude
  • Acting impulsively
  • Loss of inhibitions
  • Seeming subdued
  • Losing interest in people and things
  • Losing drive and motivation
  • Inability to emphasis with others
  • Repetitive behaviours
  • Compulsive eating
  • Neglecting personal hygiene
  • Using words incorrectly
  • Loss of vocabulary
  • Repeating a limited number of phrases
  • Forgetting the meaning of common words

For more information about dementia, visit the Alzheimer's UK website for support and advice.

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