Depending on the cause, sometimes dementia symptoms are treatable, but, in other cases, they are permanent or progressive. This is why early detection of cognitive decline is important, and the proper medical treatment might reverse or relieve symptoms.
Signs and Symptoms of Dementia
A long list of symptoms is associated with dementia, but many overlap with other health conditions, meaning that having some of them does not confirm that an individual is cognitively impaired. That said, don’t hesitate to consult a healthcare provider if you or a loved one is showing signs of dementia, which can be cognitive or psychological in nature:
Trouble remembering new informationConfusion, particularly related to time or placeDisorientationChanges in mood or personality Getting easily irritatedGrowing depressed and withdrawnTrouble problem-solvingTrouble completing tasksTrouble organizingIncreased anxietyTrouble communicating (in verbal or written form)Trouble with physical coordination Getting lost, especially on one’s way to familiar placesRoutinely misplacing commonly-used itemsExhibiting signs of paranoiaExercising poor judgment
Not everyone will notice these symptoms right away, and a checklist alone can’t determine if a person has a dementia-related disorder. In fact, not even a test can do so.
Diagnosis
To make a diagnosis, a physician such as a neurologist, geriatrician, or mental health professional will complete a comprehensive evaluation that includes a physical exam, a review of one’s medical history, blood tests, and assessments related to behavior and overall functionality. Identifying dementia early might alleviate symptoms and allow patients to participate in clinical drug trials and plan for life in the future.
Common Causes of Dementia
Medical intervention for dementia or dementia-like symptoms depends on the source of the problem. Although it’s widely believed that such conditions solely affect the elderly, that’s inaccurate. People of any age can experience these symptoms because the causes are related to a variety of health conditions—from traumatic brain injury to Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is arguably the most widely-known form of dementia. It is also the most common cause, representing 60% to 80% of dementia-related diagnoses, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Although increased age heightens one’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, 200,000 people living with the disease are younger than age 65. These individuals have what’s known as early-onset Alzheimer’s or younger-onset Alzheimer’s. One of the first signs people with Alzheimer’s disease (early-onset or otherwise) report having is trouble recalling information they’ve recently learned. This occurs because Alzheimer’s compromises part of the brain involved in learning processes. Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s is a progressive condition, meaning symptoms will worsen over time, but medical treatment can help manage them.
Other Types of Dementia
Other progressive forms of dementia include frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body dementia, and vascular dementia—and it’s also possible to have a combination of dementia types. Frontotemporal Dementia With frontotemporal dementia, nerve cells in the parts of the brain involved in behavior, communication, and personality begin to degenerate. Thus, people with this condition typically have symptoms that impact their behavior, reasoning, communication, and/or movement. Lewy Body Dementia In Lewy body dementia, wads of protein accumulate in the brain. These proteins can also be found in patients with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. People with this form of dementia might hallucinate, have trouble concentrating, or experience physical coordination and movement difficulties. Vascular Dementia Vascular dementia is second only to Alzheimer’s in its prevalence in people with dementia. It occurs due to problems with the blood vessels that involve the brain. While people with this form of dementia may have difficulty recalling, their most obvious symptoms are likely to be trouble with organization, reasoning, concentration, and thinking quickly.
Conditions Linked to Dementia
Several other medical conditions have been implicated in dementia diagnoses. They include (the previously mentioned) traumatic brain injury and Parkinson’s disease as well as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and Huntington’s disease. People with these disorders have dementia-like symptoms or develop a form of dementia.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injury, which develops after repeat head trauma, is common in athletes who have played aggressive contact sports such as football, rugby, or boxing, but these injuries can also occur in sports such as volleyball, cheerleading, or water polo. If certain parts of the brain are injured, dementia may subsequently develop. Symptoms of traumatic brain injury include memory loss, difficulty communicating, depression, and rage.
Parkinson’s Disease
It is also possible for symptoms related to Parkinson’s disease, caused by nerve cell damage in the brain, to form. People with Parkinson’s often suffer from tremors, move slowly, and have trouble with balance and coordination. It is common for people with Parkinson’s to experience dementia symptoms.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a heritable disease characterized by the accumulation of proteins known as prions. It is a fatal condition that occurs very rarely. In addition to genetic predisposition, this illness can develop after exposure to infected nervous system tissue during a transplant. In cattle, it is widely known as mad cow disease, which humans can contract from eating contaminated meat. Signs include confusion, disorientation, depression, coordination problems, and difficulty speaking and concentrating.
Huntington’s Disease
Huntington’s disease is an inherited disorder in which nerve cells in the brain deteriorate. Symptoms include forgetfulness, depression, difficulty communicating, and difficulty with physical movement. This condition typically appears in one’s 30s or 40s.
Preventing Cognitive Decline
Many causes of dementia are genetic, and the likelihood of exhibiting signs increases with age. However, experts still recommend that people do what they can to reduce the odds of experiencing symptoms. Abstaining from excessive drinking and smoking (in any quantity), managing conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, and eating well and exercising are among many steps the public can take to stay on top of their cognitive health.
