What is dementia?
Dementia is a brain problem that makes it hard to remember, think, and learn. Most dementia begins little by little and starts after age 65.
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It’s normal for the brain to change with age, but dementia isn't a normal part of getting older
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Most dementia is caused by Alzheimer disease, a brain disorder
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Symptoms usually start with forgetting recent events and getting lost easily
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Symptoms get worse over the next 2 to 10 years to the point where help is needed with daily tasks, such as eating and walking
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Doctors will try to slow memory loss as long as possible and help keep the person with dementia safe
What causes dementia?
Dementia is a brain disorder. It may have no specific cause or be caused by many disorders.
Most dementia in older people is caused by
Other brain problems that can cause dementia include:
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Blocked blood vessels in the brain (as from a stroke or hardening of the arteries)
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Disorders that damage brain cells, for example, Parkinson disease and Lewy body dementia
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Brain damage from a head injury
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Infections, such as HIV
Some things can make dementia worse:
What are the symptoms of dementia?
Dementia causes problems with:
These problems make it hard to do normal daily tasks, such as shopping, making meals, and managing money. People also may have trouble behaving appropriately.
Symptoms get worse as time goes by.
Early symptoms of dementia:
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Forgetting things that just happened
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Forgetting where things are
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Having trouble finding the right word to say and understanding what others say
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Forgetting to pay bills
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Having more trouble than usual with numbers
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Getting lost when driving in familiar areas
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Being more emotional, such as quickly switching from being happy to sad
Family and friends often notice that people don't seem like themselves. At first, the differences may be hard to spot. Sometimes people themselves are the first to notice they're having trouble with things. Such difficulties often make them frustrated and upset.
Middle symptoms of dementia:
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Getting lost at home, such as trouble finding the bathroom or bedroom
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Not recognizing familiar people and things
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Being easily confused and unable to learn new information or follow simple directions
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No longer safe to drive
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Needing help with bathing, dressing, and eating
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Not understanding normal conversation
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Doing unusual things, such as yelling, undressing in public, hitting, and repeating questions
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Having problems falling and staying asleep
Personality changes become more severe. People with dementia may be fearful and suspicious. Some are irritable and hostile. Others become withdrawn and depressed.
Late symptoms of dementia:
In late dementia, people lose almost all brain function. They can't get out of bed or even move. Eventually, they can't even swallow food that's placed in their mouth.
How can doctors tell if someone has dementia?
Doctors will ask people and their family members questions about symptoms. They’ll also do memory and other brain tests.
To see if another health problem is causing the dementia, doctors will do a physical exam and blood tests. They also do imaging tests such as a computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to look for abnormalities of the brain.
How do doctors treat dementia?
Doctors may:
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Treat other health problems that caused the dementia or make it worse
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Stop any medicines that make dementia worse
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Give medicine to slow memory loss and help with behavior changes
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Explain the importance of a daily routine for bathing, eating, sleeping, and exercise
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Help create a plan for safety at home (for example, putting up signs with reminders like "remember to turn off the stove" and scheduling visits from family members or friends)
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Ask about end-of-life wishes, such as moving to a nursing home and whether to have CPR or be put on a ventilator
