When worrying about forgetfulness?

Your mom just promised to cook rice for dinner, and she put in boiling water buckwheat? Father confusing road signs and is afraid to drive?

Sometimes these oddities can be explained by the expense of poor eyesight, but some people could ask the question: "Is this not a symptom of Alzheimer's disease?"

We dementia (dementia) can be recognized in the early stages. Although from the disease are no drugs or surgery, timely diagnosis is very important to improve the quality of life.

How to distinguish between normal forgetfulness from dementia?

If you forget someone's name or where to put the keys - this is not a sign of illness. Concerns should arise when such episodes occur frequently and focus on more important things.

Symptom of dementia, cognitive impairment are different: in addition to problems with memory, there may be a depletion of speech, lack of critical thinking, as well as:

* Recurrence of the same issue.
* The loss of orientation in familiar places.
* Failure to follow a given direction.
* Disorientation in time, space and people.
* Neglect of personal safety, hygiene and nutrition.

Changes in behavior and personality are sometimes accompanied by loss of memory. If you have any problems with remembering, do not expect deterioration. Talk to your doctor.

What causes dementia?

The most common cause of dementia - Alzheimer's disease, accompanied by accumulation of toxic substances amyloid in the brain. But can lead to dementia and other diseases, like Alzheimer's, but otherwise the proceeding or to a specific set of features.

In vascular dementia high blood pressure causes few mikroinsultov affecting the area of the brain responsible for memory and behavior. This form of dementia begins more suddenly, as compared with Alzheimer's disease. The patient's condition stabilized a bit, and then worsened after the next stroke. Alzheimer's disease, by contrast, is progressing slowly (sometimes for 8-10 years).

Dementia with Lewy bodies is due to the fact that brain cells accumulate protein, which under a microscope looks like a round red inclusions (Lewy bodies). In Alzheimer's disease Lewy bodies also accumulate in the brain, but in its other divisions. Alzheimer's disease, which runs with an average weight, may cause a one-time hallucinations. In dementia with Lewy bodies recurring hallucination, marked impairment of consciousness, distracted attention. These signs are very important for correct diagnosis.

The importance of early diagnosis

Early diagnosis often helps to significantly affect the outcome of treatment. According to statistics, in 5-10% of cases of memory impairment are treatable (eg, when their cause is thyroid dysfunction, depression, malnutrition).

Alzheimer's disease - an irreversible degenerative process, which can only slightly slow. Some patients require treatment helps cholinesterase inhibitors, but these drugs are effective only for a short time and always at an early stage of disease (which is why early diagnosis is so important).

Another drug used to treat moderate to severe forms of Alzheimer's disease - memantine. It blocks the action of glutamate - a substance that negatively impact on the processes of remembering and thinking. Possible side effects from the use of the drug - dizziness and confusion. Take it must be under the supervision of a physician.

Diagnosis of vascular dementia in the early stages of the disease allows time to take control of arterial blood pressure, prevent mikroinsulty and further cognitive decline. Hallucinations in dementia with Lewy bodies are treatable, but in this case is very important early diagnosis of the disease.

If diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease "is placed at an early stage, the patient has time to finish the case, make important orders, and sometimes to realize some long-standing dream.

What to tell the doctor?

* About all mental disorders: It is important to mention not only about the failures in the memory, but also about changes in behavior, fatigue, distractions, problems in communication.
* About all taken drugs. You should tell your doctor about all your medications, vitamins and food supplements. Bring the instructions for the drugs.
* On all the symptoms of the disease. Spirit and body are interrelated. Tell your doctor about what's bothering you, from top to toe. All may be relevant: increase (even slight) temperature, weight loss, decreased appetite, etc. Name previously deferred disease, bring with them a medical card.
Rx Maryland