Dementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. It can affect memory, thinking, language, judgment and behavior. Typically, these changes are significant enough to affect one's ability to perform basic tasks such as driving, managing the finances, cooking, or taking medications appropriately. For more information about dementia or to schedule an appointment, call (206) 341-0420.
Most types of dementia are degenerative, meaning the changes in the brain that are causing the dementia cannot be stopped or reversed. Dementia is rare in people under age 60, though the risk increases with age. The most common causes of degenerative dementia are:
Dementia is also associated with other diseases and conditions, including:
Some causes of dementia are reversible and may be stopped or corrected if they are found soon enough, including:
Most causes of degenerative dementia are not preventable.
You can reduce the risk of vascular dementia (which includes multi-infarct dementia, caused by a series of small strokes), by quitting smoking and controlling high blood pressure and diabetes. Eating a low-fat diet and exercising regularly may also reduce the risk of vascular dementia.
Dementia interferes with many areas of mental functioning, from memory to language to abstract thinking. Though individual symptoms of dementia vary greatly depending on the cause, some common signs and symptoms include:
Because other medical conditions can cause dementia symptoms, it's important to see a doctor as early as possible to determine the underlying cause. Early diagnosis is also important so that treatment can begin before symptoms get worse.
There is no single test to diagnose dementia. Instead, the disorder is diagnosed by documenting which symptoms are present and ruling out other conditions that might be causing the signs and symptoms. Because of the complexity of the disorder, a patient may undergo a variety of tests. Examples of diagnostic tests for dementia include:
At Virginia Mason, patients benefit from a multidisciplinary approach for the most accurate and timely diagnosis possible. If the diagnosis is a dementia that is known to worsen over time, an accurate diagnosis provides the patient and family members time to plan for the future while the patient can still participate in making decisions.
The goal of treatment is to control the symptoms of dementia, which vary from patient to patient depending on the cause. Mental functioning can be greatly improved if the underlying disorder is a treatable condition, such as:
Medications that treat behavior problems may also be useful to control symptoms such as loss of judgment, agitation and confusion. Possible medications include:
Certain drugs are sometimes effective for slowing the rate at which symptoms worsen. However the benefit from these drugs is often small or not detectable, and patients and their families may find the side effects intolerable. Drugs currently approved to treat dementia include:
Providers from Speech and Language, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy can assist with setting up offsetting systems and programs of physical and cognitive activation to help sustain function and maximize abilities.
Family and caregivers can sometimes help patients manage confusion or disorientation at home by: