Dementia

What is dementia?

Dementia refers to a group of symptoms that dramatically affect your ability to remember, think, and function in a social environment. Extreme cases of dementia make it very difficult for people to perform basic daily tasks.

The two main types of dementia are:

Cortical dementia

Cortical dementia occurs because of damage to the cerebral cortex. The cerebral cortex, the outer layer of the brain, plays an instrumental role in your ability to speak and to remember things.

People struggling with cortical dementia have severe memory loss and have often been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Subcortical dementia

Subcortical dementia refers to a complication beneath the cerebral cortex. In most cases, people struggling with subcortical dementia exhibit difficulties starting activities and thinking on their feet.

The most common conditions that can lead to subcortical dementia include Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and HIV.

What are the symptoms of dementia?

Symptoms of dementia can be organized into two groups: cognitive and psychological.

Cognitive symptoms include:

• Memory loss
• Problems navigating complex tasks
• Difficulty communicating
• Confusion and disorientation
• Coordination and motor function problems

Psychological symptoms include:

• Depression and anxiety
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations
• Agitation
• Personality changes

Get in touch with Family Care Specialists Medical Group if you or your loved one has experienced any of these symptoms.

How do you treat dementia?

Treatment for dementia depends on its cause.

If you have cortical dementia, there is no known cure, but your doctor at Family Care Specialists Medical Group can recommend medication to improve symptoms temporarily. These include cholinesterase inhibitors or memantine.

Family Care Specialists Medical Group also offers comprehensive geriatric care for people over age 65. Our providers have extensive experience caring for aging patients to keep them healthy and active. Additionally, Family Care Specialists Medical Group offers an intensive multidisciplinary geriatric assessment for elderly patients dealing with complex medical and social issues during this challenging period of their life.   This team can recommend the best course of action based on your age, social situation, and overall health.

Another effective treatment for dementia is a series of several therapies, including occupational therapy, psychotherapy, and others.  If your loved one is in a nursing home without the ability to come to the office, two doctors on the staff of Family Care Specialists Medical Group can come to you.

To learn more about how you can slow down the symptoms of dementia, book an appointment by phone or online today.or schedule an online consultation today with Family Care Specialists Medical Group.