Depending on the part of the brain that's injured, this condition can cause dementia signs and symptoms such as depression, explosiveness, memory loss and impaired speech. TBI may also cause parkinsonism. Symptoms might not appear until years after the trauma.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. This rare brain disorder usually occurs in people without known risk factors.
This condition might be due to deposits of infectious proteins called prions. Signs and symptoms of this fatal condition usually appear after age Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease usually has no known cause but can be inherited. It may also be caused by exposure to diseased brain or nervous system tissue, such as from a cornea transplant. Many factors can eventually contribute to dementia. Some factors, such as age, can't be changed. Others can be addressed to reduce your risk. Medications that can worsen memory.
Also limit sedatives and sleeping tablets and talk to your doctor about whether any of the drugs you take might make your memory worse. Dementia can affect many body systems and, therefore, the ability to function. Dementia can lead to:. There's no sure way to prevent dementia, but there are steps you can take that might help. More research is needed, but it might be beneficial to do the following:.
Get enough vitamins. Some research suggests that people with low levels of vitamin D in their blood are more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. You can get vitamin D through certain foods, supplements and sun exposure. More study is needed before an increase in vitamin D intake is recommended for preventing dementia, but it's a good idea to make sure you get adequate vitamin D.
Taking a daily B-complex vitamin and vitamin C also might help. Manage cardiovascular risk factors. Treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Lose weight if you're overweight. High blood pressure might lead to a higher risk of some types of dementia. More research is needed to determine whether treating high blood pressure may reduce the risk of dementia. Dementia care at Mayo Clinic.
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. For example, normal pressure hydrocephalus , an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, often resolves with treatment. In addition, medical conditions such as stress, anxiety, depression, and delirium can cause serious memory problems that resemble dementia, as can side effects of certain medicines.
Researchers have also identified many other conditions that can cause dementia or dementia-like symptoms. These conditions include:. The overlap in symptoms of various dementias can make it difficult to get an accurate diagnosis. But a proper diagnosis is important to get the best treatment. To diagnose dementia, doctors first assess whether a person has an underlying, potentially treatable, condition that may relate to cognitive difficulties.
A physical exam to measure blood pressure and other vital signs, as well as laboratory tests of blood and other fluids to check levels of various chemicals, hormones, and vitamins, can help uncover or rule out possible causes of symptoms. Typical questions might include asking about whether dementia runs in the family , how and when symptoms began, changes in behavior and personality, and if the person is taking certain medications that might cause or worsen symptoms.
Early detection of symptoms is important, as some causes can be treated. However, in many cases, the cause of dementia is unknown and cannot be treated. Still, obtaining an early diagnosis can help with managing the condition and planning ahead. Sometimes, a person with dementia will agree to donate their brain. By studying the brains of people who have died, researchers learn more about how types of dementia affect the brain and how we might better treat and prevent them.
When donating as part of a research study or to the NIH NeuroBioBank , there is no cost to the family for the donation and an autopsy report. Visiting a primary care doctor is often the first step for people who are experiencing changes in thinking, movement, or behavior.
However, neurologists — doctors who specialize in disorders of the brain and nervous system — are often consulted to diagnose dementia. Geriatric psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, and geriatricians may also be able to diagnose dementia. Your doctor can help you find a specialist. If a specialist cannot be found in your community, contact the nearest medical school neurology department for a referral. A medical school hospital also may have a dementia clinic that provides expert evaluation.
These centers can help with obtaining a diagnosis and medical management of conditions. Receive weekly tips and resources on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias from NIA's Alzheimers.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia in Australia, accounting for about two thirds of cases. Providing a calm environment for the person with dementia can help to reduce the impact of changes to behaviour patterns.
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The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Skip to main content. Home Dementia. Dementia - early signs. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. Early symptoms of dementia Ten warning signs of dementia Conditions with symptoms similar to dementia Diagnosis of dementia Talking with a doctor Where to get help Things to remember.
Early symptoms of dementia Although the early signs vary, common early symptoms of dementia include: memory problems, particularly remembering recent events increasing confusion reduced concentration personality or behaviour changes apathy and withdrawal or depression loss of ability to do everyday tasks.
Ten warning signs of dementia Go through the following checklist of the common symptoms of dementia. Dementia and difficulty with tasks People can get distracted and they may forget to serve part of a meal.
Dementia and disorientation A person with dementia may have difficulty finding their way to a familiar place or feel confused about where they are, or think they are back in some past time of their life. Dementia and language problems Everyone has trouble finding the right word sometimes, but a person with dementia may forget simple words or substitute inappropriate words, making sentences difficult to understand.
Dementia and changes in abstract thinking Managing finances can be difficult for anyone, but a person with dementia may have trouble knowing what the numbers mean or what to do with them.
Dementia and poor judgement Many activities require good judgement. Dementia and poor spatial skills A person with dementia may have difficulty judging distance or direction when driving a car. Dementia and misplacing things Anyone can temporarily misplace a wallet or keys. Dementia and mood, personality or behaviour changes Everyone becomes sad or moody from time to time.
Dementia and loss of initiative It is normal to tire of some activities. Conditions with symptoms similar to dementia Remember that many conditions have symptoms similar to dementia, so it is important not to assume that someone has dementia just because some of the above symptoms are present. Medical history The doctor will ask about past and current medical problems, family medical history, any medications being taken and the problems with memory, thinking or behaviour that are causing concern.
Physical examination To help rule out other conditions, a physical examination may include tests of the senses, movement, and heart and lung function. Laboratory tests These will include a variety of blood and urine tests to identify any possible illness that could be responsible for the symptoms. Cognitive testing A variety of tests are used to assess thinking abilities, including memory, language, attention and problem-solving. Brain imaging There are certain scans that look at the structure of the brain and are used to rule out brain tumours or blood clots in the brain as the reason for symptoms.
Psychiatric assessment Psychiatric assessment helps to identify treatable disorders, such as depression and to manage any psychiatric symptoms, such as anxiety or delusions that may occur along with dementia.
You can take a number of actions to get support including: talking with other carers who may have had to deal with similar situations contacting your local Aged Care Assessment Team ACAT calling the National Dementia Helpline.
Although the early signs of dementia vary, there are some common early symptoms. If the person affected has several of the ten warning signs of dementia, consult a doctor for a complete assessment. Your doctor may use six broad types of medical assessment to help to confirm or rule out a diagnosis of dementia.
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