An early sign of Alzheimer’s can occur when showering: What should you look out for?
It is often thought that the first signs of Alzheimer’s disease are entirely related to memory: a forgotten name, a word on the tongue, or difficulty orienting yourself. However, a recent study points to a much more subtle—and unexpected—sign that may be detectable as soon as you shower. Yes, you read that right!
No longer recognizing the smell of soap: a signal that should not be ignored
Imagine: you open your usual shower gel, the one with the scent you’ve known for years, and suddenly… nothing. Or rather, a vague scent that is difficult to identify. This seemingly trivial detail may actually be one of the very first signs of cognitive decline, according to Professor Davangere Devanand, a psychiatrist and neurologist at Columbia University in New York.
Why? Because smelling is not just a matter of the nose: it is a brain function that is closely linked to memory . The brain areas that allow us to recognize odors are among the first to be affected in early forms of Alzheimer’s disease.
