Dementia is a collective medical term referring to a group of symptoms that affect a patient’s ability to think straight, remember crucial information, and socialize with friends and family. Patients need to seek medical intervention for dementia Falls Church to help them improve their well-being and ensure that they are in control of their decisions. Dementia is a condition that can occur due to various reasons and might be a symptom of an underlying medical concern.
One of the main symptoms of dementia is memory loss. However, having memory loss does not automatically mean you have dementia, but it could be a warning sign. It is essential to seek a medical assistant whenever you detect lapses in memory to get an accurate diagnosis and receive appropriate treatment to preserve brain function.
Dementia is a condition that primarily affects older adults. Progressive dementia that develops due to aging occurs due to Alzheimer’s disease. Doctors need to conduct a comprehensive assessment of a patient’s symptoms to recognize the underlying causes of dementia and thus develop an ideal treatment plan to restore wellness. Unfortunately, not all dementia symptoms are reversible. Therefore, seeking early treatment will guarantee predictable outcomes.
What are the symptoms of dementia?
There are no typical symptoms of dementia. Most symptoms patients present with usually depend on the cause of dementia. The following are the most common signs and symptoms of dementia:
Cognitive changes
- Memory loss: Although a patient exhibits memory loss, another person usually notices this symptom, while the patient remains oblivious to any lost information.
- Communication problems: It is usually challenging for patients with dementia to find or remember the right words. This problem leads to communication problems by hindering effective speech.
- Problem-solving concerns: Patients with dementia cannot make rational decisions because they do not remember all the essential facts about specific situations.
- Visual and spatial abilities: It is not uncommon to find patients with dementia getting lost when driving because they do not remember the direction of why they are moving in the first place.
- Complex tasks become challenging: It is not easy for patients with dementia to handle complex tasks like solving the Rubik’s Cube because they have an impairment in their brain function.
- Confusion and disorientation
Psychological changes
Dementia is a condition that affects the physical state of a patient and the psychological components of life. For this reason, the following symptoms present in patients with dementia:
- Mental health issues like depression and anxiety: Thoughts of worthlessness consume patients with dementia, making them lose confidence in themselves.
- Personality changes: Patients with dementia forget who they are and adopt a different personality.
- Agitation
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
When to see a doctor
It is essential to seek medical intervention immediately after you notice your loved one exhibiting signs and symptoms of dementia. Early diagnosis and treatment will guarantee desired outcomes and restore brain function. However, the more dementia remains untreated, the more severe symptoms become, and brain damage worsens and becomes irreversible. Contact Integrated Neurology Services if you detect any signs and symptoms of dementia in your loved one to book a consultation and get them the help they need to feel like themselves again.