Dementia

What is dementia?

Dementia describes a loss of your mental function that progresses enough to interfere with your daily life and ability to stay active. Dementia can cause issues with your memory, language, and how you perceive the world around you.

This condition is not a normal part of aging, but a serious disorder that can affect your independence. There are several types of dementia that affect people in different ways, including:

Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease affects older people due to an abnormal buildup of proteins between your brain cells and the loss of connection between your brain’s nerve cells.

Lewy body dementia

Lewy body dementia is a type of dementia that causes cognitive issues and dysfunctional movements in your body due to a buildup of proteins in your brain.

Vascular dementia

Vascular dementia describes changes in the brain due to a stroke or atherosclerosis, a hardening of your arteries.

What are the symptoms of dementia?

Symptoms of dementia affect people differently depending on where in the brain the proteins build up. Typically, the first noticeable symptom of dementia is forgetfulness. You may find it increasingly difficult to remember appointments, events, and where you put your keys.

You may also experience cognitive issues that affect your logic and thinking, such as:

• Losing old memories
• Forgetting names of friends or family
• Getting lost in your community
• Using strange words to describe familiar objects

As dementia symptoms progress, you may need more help doing tasks around your house, like paying bills or cooking. Your personality may change and you may struggle to stay in control of your emotions.

If you have symptoms of dementia or notice them in your loved ones, schedule a diagnostic evaluation with the South Valley Neurology team. 

What treatments are available for dementia?

After an in-office evaluation of your dementia symptoms and medical history, your South Valley Neurology provider can customize a treatment plan to help retain your mental function and high quality of life.

While there’s no cure for dementia, with the right care, you can keep your independence for as long as possible.

Treatment options for dementia include:

Medications

Medications work to improve your memory and slow down dementia-related decline. You may also need medications to address the side effects of dementia, like anxiety, depression, or sleep issues.

Speech therapy

Speech therapy is beneficial for preserving your ability to talk. Your therapist can also address swallowing difficulties you experience as your dementia progresses.

Mental health counseling

The South Valley Neurology team can refer you and your family for counseling to help you live with the changes dementia causes in your life. Therapy can help you manage your emotions and behaviors and provide your family with tools to cope with your health issues.

If you have concerns about your forgetfulness or signs of dementia in someone you love, call to schedule a consultation at South Valley Neurology today.