Dementia

What is dementia?

Dementia refers to a group of disorders that can cause memory loss, problem-solving impairments, poor cognitive function, and other symptoms that may affect the mind and body. Over time, dementia can impact every aspect of your life. Individuals with dementia often struggle with behavior changes, maintaining relationships, and even living independently.

What causes dementia?

Dementia occurs when the nerves in the brain start to degrade or die. The symptoms that dementia causes often depend on which area of the brain it affects. There are several types of dementia, including:

Alzheimer’s disease

As the most common type of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease causes clumps of proteins (plaques) to develop in the brain. These plaques progressively damage your brain’s neurons and their connecting fibers, causing issues such as memory loss, confusion, forgetfulness, and other cognitive symptoms.

Vascular dementia

Vascular dementia occurs when the blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood to your brain become damaged. While memory loss isn’t always a telltale sign of vascular dementia, the disease commonly causes impaired thinking and problem-solving.

Lewy body dementia

Lewy bodies are clumps of proteins called alpha-synuclein that interfere with the natural chemicals in your brain. Often found in both Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia, the formation of these protein collections can lead to changes in behavior, mood, and even movement.

What are the symptoms of dementia?

How your dementia presents depends on its type. However, the most common symptoms of dementia include:

• Changes in mood
• Difficulty remembering tasks
• Forgetfulness
• Increased confusion
• Trouble concentrating
• Balance problems
• Trouble forming new memories
• Anxiety or depression
• Disorientation

Many types of dementia also cause personality and behavior changes, as well as difficulty communicating. The symptoms of dementia are progressive and debilitating. As the disease advances, it can interfere with an individual’s ability to remain independent.

How is dementia diagnosed?

Diagnosing dementia involves several steps, including:

• Physical exam
• Medical history review
• Cognitive tests
• Neuropsychological tests
• Blood work
• Imaging scans

After performing a series of tests, your doctor at TX Primary Care Plus can better determine whether you need an imaging scan such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a computed tomography (CT) scan.

What are the treatments for dementia?

Although there is currently no cure for dementia, there are several medications to treat its symptoms. Cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine may help slow the disease’s progression when combined with other therapies, such as environmental changes, occupational therapy, and lifestyle modifications.

To learn more about dementia, call TX Primary Care Plus or book an appointment online today.