Dementia is a general term that represents a group of diseases and illnesses that cause the loss of cognitive functioning to the point that it interferes with a person’s daily life and activities.
Cognitive changes they may experience include:
- Memory loss, usually noticed by someone else
- Problems communicating or finding words
- Trouble with visual and spatial abilities, such as getting lost while driving
- Problems with reasoning or problem-solving
- Trouble performing complex tasks
- Trouble with planning and organizing
- Poor coordination and control of movements
- Confusion and disorientation
Some people with dementia can’t control their emotions, and they may also have psychological changes, such as:
- Personality changes
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Inappropriate behavior
- Hallucinations
Dementia is caused by damage to your brain, affecting its nerve cells and destroying the brain’s ability to communicate with its various areas. Dementia can also result from blocked blood flow to the brain, depriving it of oxygen and nutrients. Without oxygen and nutrients, brain tissue dies.
Progressive dementias get worse over time. Types of dementias that worsen and aren’t reversible include:
- Alzheimer’s disease (the most common cause of dementia)
- Vascular dementia
- Lewy body dementia
- Frontotemporal dementia
- Mixed dementia
Other disorders linked to dementia include:
- Huntington’s disease
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
- Parkinson’s disease
Some causes of dementia-like symptoms can be reversed with treatment, including:
- Infections and immune disorders
- Metabolic or endocrine problems
- Low levels of certain nutrients
- Medication side effects
- Subdural bleeding
- Brain tumors
- Normal-pressure hydrocephalus
Many risk factors can contribute to dementia, including:
A healthcare provider must recognize the pattern of loss of skills and function to be able to diagnose the cause of dementia. No single test can diagnose dementia, therefore, a series of tests may be conducted to determine a diagnosis. These tests include:
- Cognitive and neuropsychological tests
- Neurological evaluation
- Brain scans
- Laboratory tests
- Psychiatric evaluation
Most types of dementia can’t be cured, but there are ways to manage your symptoms, including:
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you can schedule an appointment with a doctor at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 206-7001. If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.
Spring is here! As the temperatures warm up, how and what we eat changes. Here is a light and delicious recipe for spring vegetable fettuccine alfredo. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/spring-vegetable-fettuccine-alfredo-3577686
