Patient education: Dementia (including Alzheimer disease) (The Basics)

What is dementia? — This is the general term for a group of brain disorders that cause problems with memory and thinking (figure 1). The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer disease. But there are other forms of dementia, too.

What are the symptoms of dementia? — The symptoms can include:

●Forgetfulness

●Acting confused or disoriented

●Trouble with speech and writing (for example, not being able to find the right words for things)

●Trouble concentrating and reasoning

●Problems with tasks such as paying bills or balancing a checkbook

●Getting lost in familiar places

Symptoms often are very mild at first and then get worse slowly. As dementia gets worse, people might:

●Have episodes of anger or aggression

●See things that aren't there or believe things that aren't true ("hallucinations")

●Be unable to eat, bathe, dress, or do other everyday tasks

●Lose bladder and bowel control

What are the different kinds of dementia? — The most common kinds include:

●Alzheimer disease – This is the most common cause of dementia. It is a disorder in which brain cells slowly die over time.

●Vascular dementia – This happens when parts of the brain do not get enough blood. It can happen when blood vessels in the brain get blocked with blood clots or damaged by high blood pressure or aging. This form of dementia is most common among people who have had strokes or who are at risk for strokes.

●Lewy body dementia – This can cause problems with movement and balance along with memory and thinking problems. Hallucinations and sleep problems are more common with this type of dementia.

●Frontotemporal dementia – Early symptoms can include personality and behavior changes. People can also have trouble with language (speaking and writing).

●Parkinson disease dementia – Parkinson disease is a brain disorder that affects movement. It causes trembling, stiffness, and slowness. As Parkinson disease gets worse, some people develop dementia.

●Other causes of dementia – Dementia can also happen if a person's brain has been damaged. For example, having many head injuries can lead to dementia.

Should I see a doctor or nurse? — Yes. See a doctor or nurse if you think that you or someone close to you is showing signs of dementia.

Sometimes, memory loss and confusion are caused by other medical problems that can be treated. For example, people with diabetes sometimes show signs of confusion when their blood sugar is not well controlled.

Will I need tests? — Your doctor or nurse will ask you questions to test your memory and thinking. They will decide which tests you should have based on your individual situation. Your doctor might want to do a brain scan (either CT or MRI) and lab tests.

How is dementia treated? — That depends on what kind of dementia you have. If you have Alzheimer disease, there are medicines that might help some. If you have vascular dementia, your doctor will focus on keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol as close to normal as possible. This can help reduce further damage to the brain.

Sadly, there really aren't good treatments for most types of dementia. But doctors can sometimes treat troubling symptoms that come with dementia, such as depression or anxiety.

How do I stay safe? — If you have dementia, you might not be aware of how much your condition affects you. Trust your family and friends to tell you when it is no longer safe for you to drive, cook, or do other things that could be dangerous.

Be aware, too, that people with dementia often fall and hurt themselves. To reduce the risk of falls, you should:

●Secure loose rugs or use non-skid backing on rugs.

●Tuck away loose wires or electrical cords.

●Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes.

●Keep walkways well lit.

Can dementia be prevented? — There are no proven ways to prevent dementia. But these things seem to help keep the brain healthy:

●Physical activity

●A healthy diet

●Social interaction

Where can I learn more? — The Alzheimer's Association has a lot of information. Their website is www.alz.org. Their toll-free phone number in the US is 1-800-272-3900.

More on this topic

Patient education: Caring for someone with Alzheimer disease or dementia (The Basics)
Patient education: Dementia with Lewy bodies (The Basics)
Patient education: Parkinson disease (The Basics)
Patient education: Mild cognitive impairment (The Basics)
Patient education: Evaluating memory and thinking problems (The Basics)
Patient education: Time to stop driving? (The Basics)
Patient education: Preventing falls in adults (The Basics)

Patient education: Dementia (including Alzheimer disease) (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Parkinson disease symptoms and diagnosis (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Parkinson disease treatment options — medications (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Parkinson disease treatment options — education, support, and therapy (Beyond the Basics)