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Dementia is a broad term that refers to losing mental faculties such as thinking, memory, attention, and logical reasoning. These modifications are sufficient to impair social or occupational functioning. During your consultation, Dr. Risa Ravitz New York will evaluate your medical history and do a physical exam and cognitive tests. Depending on the history and physical, more tests may be required. These tests include blood and urine tests, chest X-rays, brain scanning (MRI or CT scanning), electroencephalogram (EEG), and spinal fluid analyses.

Common causes of dementia

Dementia is caused by brain injury. Dementia damages the nerve cells in your brain, destroying your brain’s capacity to interact with its various parts. Dementia can also result from blockage in blood flow to your brain, depriving it of oxygen and nutrients. Brain tissue dies in the absence of oxygen and nutrients. Additionally, damage to the brain causes various symptoms, depending on the part of your brain affected. Some dementias are irreversible and will deteriorate over time. Also, other types of dementia are caused by medical disorders that impact your brain. Another set of health problems can cause dementia-like symptoms. Many of these disorders are curable, and the symptoms of dementia are reversible.

Various risk factors for dementia

The following are common dementia risk factors:

  1. Age: This is the most significant risk factor. As you become older, your chances of developing dementia increase. The majority of instances affect adults over the age of 65.
  2. Family history: You are more prone to get dementia if you have biological parents or siblings who have dementia.
  3. Down syndrome: If you have Down syndrome, you are at risk of acquiring Alzheimer’s disease early in life.
  4. Poor heart health: You are more likely to get dementia if you have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, or smoke. These health issues, as well as diabetes, impact your blood vessels. Blood vessel damage can cause reduced blood flow and strokes.

Does memory loss indicate the onset of dementia?

One frequent misconception concerning memory loss is that it usually indicates you or a loved one has dementia. Several factors can cause memory loss. Memory loss on its own does not always mean you have dementia. It is also true that some memory alterations are common as you become older (some neurons in your brain naturally die as you age). However, this type of memory loss is not functionally detrimental; it does not interfere with everyday living. Dementia impairs your capacity to function. Dementia is more than just forgetting where you put your keys. Those who have dementia may forget what keys are used for. Furthermore, dementia is not a natural component of the aging process.

The difference between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia

Dementia is a description of your mental function rather than a specific condition. Also, dementia is an “umbrella category” that refers to mental deterioration severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease are two of the numerous underlying causes of dementia.

Discovering early that you have dementia helps you and your family arrange a meaningful quality of life together and organize your legal, financial, and healthcare goals and objectives. Your healthcare team, which includes physicians, social workers, and pastoral care members, is ready to support, educate, and care for you or your loved one. Call Modern Migraine MD to schedule your meeting today to determine which dementia therapies are ideal for you or your loved one.