Dementia

Some people with dementia become aggressive, even when they’ve never been so before. They might seem unlike the person you know so well, and as the disease progresses, they may no longer recognize you. At offices in Waxahachie, Mesquite, and Mansfield, Texas, the compassionate Neurology Care team diagnoses and treats patients with dementia. The practice’s board-certified neurologists also use the latest treatments to prolong quality of life. Call Neurology Care today or book an appointment online if you or someone close to you is showing signs of dementia.

What is dementia?

Dementia is a symptom rather than a disease. It affects cognitive functions like memory and concentration, which inevitably deteriorate over time. Dementia is progressively disabling, robbing people of their ability to manage everyday life. Conditions for which dementia is a primary symptom include:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Frontotemporal disorders
• Lewy body dementia
• Vascular dementia

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for around 70% of cases.

It’s possible to suffer temporary dementia for various reasons, such as illness and injury. However, the above conditions are incurable.

What are the symptoms of dementia?

Dementia is known for its effect on your memory. It begins with increased forgetfulness and short-term memory gaps. But unlike natural age-related decline in memory recall, dementia can make you forget things you should know well, like your age, address, and the year. Other dementia symptoms include:

• Confusion
• Loss of problem-solving ability
• Personality changes
• Inability to judge distance and time
• Wandering and getting lost
• Visual disturbances
• Language difficulties
• Depression
• Mood swings

Loss of physical function occurs in dementia’s later stages. The patient may be unable to feed themselves, get up unaided, or talk.

How is dementia diagnosed?

To diagnose dementia symptoms, your Neurology Care provider performs a physical exam followed by cognitive and neuropsychological tests. These tests evaluate brain functions such as memory, use of language, attention, and problem-solving ability, all things that can cause problems for people with dementia.

Your provider may need to speak with family members and friends who know you well to learn about any behavioral or personality changes.

To find the cause of your dementia and assess its progress, your provider might ask you to undergo a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or positron emission tomography (PET) scan. They may also run lab tests to rule out other causes of your symptoms.

How is dementia treated?

Dementia is incurable, but with the Neurology Care team’s help, it’s possible to slow the disease’s progression.

Cholinesterase inhibitor medications help with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists treat moderate to severe Alzheimer’s. Reducing high blood pressure and cholesterol can help if you have vascular dementia (caused by diseased blood vessels).

Other medicines can help with problems like depression. Physical and occupational therapies help keep patients’ minds and bodies active.

If you or someone close to you is showing signs of dementia, visit Neurology Care for a comprehensive evaluation. Call or book an appointment online today.