Dementia

Dementia is most commonly caused by:

• Alzheimer’s disease (tangles and plaques on the nerves connecting brain cells)
• Vascular dementia (caused by strokes or blockages of blood vessels in the brain)
• Lewy body disease (proteins in the brain that damage cells)
• Fronto-temporal dementia (in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain)

A person's genes, environment and lifestyle play a part in whether someone will develop these diseases.
In most cases, doctors and researchers can't predict who will develop dementia.
Age is the greatest risk factor. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking and family history are other risks.
Aboriginal Australians are more likely to get dementia. They are also more likely to get it at a younger age.

At first you might notice problems with:

• your short-term memory (remembering what happened a few days or minutes ago)
• your ability to remember appointments, or the correct day / date

you might notice:

• making more mistakes at work or at home
• losing things or putting them in strange places
• finding hobbies such as sewing, knitting, or carpentry more difficult
• having trouble keeping track of characters and plots in books or movies

As dementia progresses you might:

• have trouble working out where you are, or what time of day it is
• withdraw from family, friends and social activities
• be unable to remember names, events, places, things and faces
• have mood swings, depression or anxiety
• experience hallucinations
• have changes in your personality
• have changes in your behavior – you might feel angry or be less inhibited
• be unable to walk, wash or dress
• have problems eating or swallowing

The early symptoms of dementia can be vague.
If you have concerns about yourself or someone else you should seek help.

Early and accurate diagnosis of dementia will rule out other treatable issues
Dementia symptoms can be confused with symptoms of depression, infections and other conditions.
Your doctor will only diagnose dementia after a full assessment.
That includes:

• • • • a medical history
      • tests of your memory, thinking, mood and behaviour
      • blood tests
      • a brain scan

Our healthcare team can

• assess for dementia
• make a diagnosis of dementia
• help you and your family or careers manage the illness
• treat any depression, anxiety or psychotic symptoms (e.g. hallucinations)
• help with behavioral issues such as aggression
• review your medications to find out if they are causing problems with memory and thinking
• link you into community services
• home
• home

We can help you reach psychiatrists who are experts in treating dementia.
There are medications that can help with the symptoms of dementia.

At Hellodoc, we have Psychiatrists and Psychologists who can assess, diagnose, and manage Dementia and related conditions.

If you and your loved ones need assessment, please contact us after obtaining a referral from your GP.

Reference : https://www.yourhealthinmind.org/mental-illnesses-disorders/dementia