Dementia isn’t a specific disease.
Though dementia generally involves memory loss, memory loss has different causes.
So memory loss alone doesn’t mean you have dementia.
Depending on the cause, some dementia symptoms can be reversed.
Some treatable medical conditions can cause dementia symptoms, so it’s important to determine the underlying cause.
Dementia involves damage of nerve cells in the brain, which can occur in several areas of the brain.
Dementia affects people differently, depending on the area of the brain affected.
Plaques are clumps of a protein called beta-amyloid, and tangles are fibrous tangles made up of tau protein.
Certain genetic factors might make it more likely that people will develop Alzheimer’s.
Blood vessel problems can be brought on by stroke or other blood vessel conditions.
This is one of the more common types of progressive dementia.
As with other dementias, the cause isn’t known.
Studies are ongoing to determine how having mixed dementia affects symptoms and treatments.
Symptoms might not appear until years after the trauma.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.This rare brain disorder usually occurs in people without known risk factors.
This condition might be due to an abnormal form of a protein.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease can be inherited or due to exposure to diseased brain or nervous system tissue.
Signs and symptoms of this fatal condition usually appear around age 60.
Parkinson’s disease.Many people with Parkinson’s disease eventually develop dementia symptoms (Parkinson’s disease dementia).
Some causes of dementia or dementia-like symptoms can be reversed with treatment.
They include:
Many factors can eventually lead to dementia.
Some factors, such as age, can’t be changed.
Others can be addressed to reduce your risk.
You might be able to control the following risk factors of dementia.
Dementia can affect many body systems and, therefore, the ability to function.
Dementia can lead to:
Diagnosing dementia and determining what key in it is can be challenging.
Your doctor will review your medical history and symptoms and conduct a physical examination.
He or she will likely ask someone close to you about your symptoms, as well.
Doctors will evaluate your thinking (cognitive) function.
Sometimes the spinal fluid is examined for infection, inflammation, or markers of some degenerative diseases.
A mental health professional can determine whether depression or another mental health condition is contributing to your symptoms.
Most types of dementia can’t be cured, but there are ways to manage your symptoms.
The following are used to temporarily improve dementia symptoms.
Side effects can include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
In some cases, memantine is prescribed with a cholinesterase inhibitor.
A common side effect of memantine is dizziness.
Some may be beneficial.
These remedies aren’t regulated, and claims about their benefits aren’t always based on scientific research.
Omega-3 fatty acids.There is some evidence that eating fish three times a week might lower your risk of dementia.
More research is needed.
Ginkgo.Although ginkgo is considered safe, study results have been inconsistent in determining whether ginkgo helps people with dementia.
The following techniques may help reduce agitation and promote relaxation in people with dementia.
Most likely, you’ll first see your primary care provider if you have concerns about dementia.
Or you might be referred to a doctor trained in nervous system conditions (neurologist).
Here’s some information to help you get ready for your appointment.
For dementia, basic questions to ask the doctor include:
Don’t hesitate to ask other questions.
Caregivers might try the following suggestions:
Enhance communication.When talking with your loved one, maintain eye contact.
Speak slowly in simple sentences, and don’t rush the response.
Present one idea or instruction at a time.
Use gestures and cues, such as pointing to objects.
Encourage exercise.Exercise benefits everyone, including people with dementia.
The main benefits of exercise include improved strength andcardiovascular health.
Some research also shows physical activity might slow the progression of impaired thinking in people with Alzheimer’s disease.
And it can lessen symptoms of depression.
Encourage activity.Plan activities the person with dementia enjoys and can do.
Establish a nighttime ritual.Behavior is often worse at night.
Leave nightlights on in the bedroom, hall, and bathroom to prevent disorientation.
Limiting caffeine, discouraging napping and offering opportunities for exercise during the day might ease nighttime restlessness.
Encourage keeping a calendar.A calendar might help your loved one remember upcoming events, daily activities and medication schedules.
Consider sharing a calendar with your loved one.
Support groups, legal advisers, family members and others might be able to help.
Receiving a diagnosis of dementia can be devastating.
Providing care for someone with dementia is physically and emotionally demanding.
Feelings of anger and guilt, frustration and discouragement, worry, grief, and social isolation are common.
Be physically and socially active.Physical activity and social interaction might delay the onset of dementia and reduce its symptoms.
Move more and aim for 150 minutes of exercise a week.
Quitting smoking might reduce your risk and will improve your health.
it’s possible for you to get vitamin D through certain foods, supplements and sun exposure.
More research is needed to determine whether treating high blood pressure may reduce the risk of dementia.
Updated: 2017-08-02
Publication Date: 2009-04-17
