Dementia
Not always part of aging
Dementia is not a disease, actually, but a group of symptoms affecting intellectual and social abilities severely enough to interfere with daily functioning. People with dementia may not be able to think well enough to do normal activities, such as getting dressed or eating. They may lose their ability to solve problems or control their emotions. They may become agitated or see things that are not there. Although Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, it is one of many disorders that can cause this mental issue. Some, such as Alzheimer’s, lead to a progressive loss of mental functions. Close to 50 million people are living with dementia around the world, according to Alzheimer’s Disease International, and it’s expected to affect more than 131 million by the year 2050. Although it is common in the elderly, dementia is not by definition a normal part of the aging process. Many people live into their 90s and beyond without any symptoms of dementia.
Dementia Update event
It’s important for people with early dementia to care for their physical and mental health. This means getting regular checkups, taking medicines if needed, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and avoiding activities that may be risky. A patient may live alone in the early stages of dementia, but they may need help with tasks such as housekeeping, transportation, cooking and paying bills. If possible, they should ask a friend or family member for help to develop plans to deal with these and other issues. Occupational therapists, and sometimes speech pathologists, can help to set up their home to minimize confusion and keep them independent as long as possible. Anyone wanting to learn more about dementias may want to attend the second annual Dementia Update, scheduled to be held Friday, December 2nd, at UAMS. The event is free to the general public. For more information, visit uams.cloud-cme.com.
Memory loss
Memory loss generally occurs in dementia, but memory loss alone doesn’t mean you have dementia. Some memory problems are related to health issues that may be treatable. For example, medication side effects, vitamin B12 deficiency, chronic alcoholism or blood clots in the brain can cause memory loss or possibly dementia. Some thyroid, kidney, or liver disorders also can lead to memory loss. Emotional problems, such as stress, anxiety, or depression, can make a person more forgetful and can be mistaken for dementia. One important difference between Alzheimer’s and depression is in the effectiveness of treatment. While Alzheimer’s drugs can only slow the progression of cognitive decline, medications to treat depression can improve a person’s quality of life dramatically. People who are worried about memory problems should see a doctor. The doctor might conduct a thorough physical and mental health evaluation to reach a diagnosis.
Age a risk factor
Dementias can be classified in a variety of ways and are often grouped by what they have in common, such as what part of the brain is affected, or how they worsen over time. The biggest risk factor for dementia is age, as it is less common in people under the age of 60. Some forms of dementia have a heritable component, meaning that they tend to run in families. Dementia can also be caused by cumulative damage to the brain, which can occur in people with chronic alcoholism or repeated head injuries, like those suffered by professional boxers or football players. All forms of dementia result from the death of nerve cells and or the loss of communication among these cells. The brain is a complex machine and many factors can interfere with its functioning. Researchers have uncovered many of these factors, but they have not yet been able to fit these puzzle pieces together in order to form a complete picture of how dementias develop.
Getting tested
Because dementia has numerous causes, diagnosing it can be difficult and may require several doctor visits and a variety of tests. The patient’s medical history will be reviewed to determine when any symptoms began, how they change over time, and to identify any health issues, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, that could have caused the dementia. A physical exam helps the patient’s physician rule out treatable causes of dementia and identifies signs of stroke or other disorders that may cause similar symptoms. It also helps the doctor determine the best course of treatment. A neuropsychological evaluation is also critical in determining the presence of dementia, particularly in its early stages. This type of evaluation is an assessment of a person’s thinking skills, including memory, language, attention and reasoning. The goal is to determine whether dementia is present, how severe it is and what part of the brain has been affected.
Trusted by thousands of listeners every week, T. Glenn Pait, M.D., began offering expert advice as the host of UAMS’ “Here’s to Your Health” program in 1996. Dr. Pait began working at UAMS in 1994 and has been practicing medicine for over 20 years.