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Dementia is a symptom of conditions like Alzheimer’s disease that causes worsening memory loss and impaired cognitive function. If you or someone close to you shows signs of dementia, visit Cory Lamar, MD, at Advanced Neurology Specialists, LLC, in Naples, Florida, for a comprehensive evaluation. Dr. Lamar provides cutting-edge therapies that slow down dementia’s effects and help patients have a better quality of life for longer. To benefit from expert dementia care, call Advanced Neurology Specialists, LLC, or book an appointment online today.
Dementia Q & A
What is dementia?
Dementia is a term for reduced cognitive functioning that profoundly impacts your life. When you have dementia, brain functions that used to be second nature become increasingly challenging. Common examples include:
- Memory loss
- Difficulties speaking
- Trouble recalling some words
- Problems understanding other people
- Inability to problem-solve
- Lack of focus and attention
- Reduced ability to complete daily tasks
As the disease causing your dementia progresses, the effects worsen. You might struggle to talk, eat, or move about and be unable to care for yourself. Your memory loss might become so severe that you no longer recognize people you know well, like your children and partner.
Are there different kinds of dementia?
Dementia is a symptom of several disorders, including:
Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease causes more cases of dementia than any other condition.
Lewy body dementia
People with Lewy body dementia have abnormal protein clumps called Lewy bodies in their brains.
Vascular dementia
Vascular dementia affects people with blood vessel disorders like carotid artery disease (the condition that causes stroke).
Some people have several kinds of dementia at once. For example, you could develop both Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.
How is dementia diagnosed?
Diagnosing dementia involves having a detailed exam at Advanced Neurology Specialists, LLC. Dr. Lamar aims to find the root cause of your dementia so you can get the proper treatment.
He reviews your symptoms and goes through your medical history in addition to completing a physical exam. He also orders various tests. These could include lab work and neurological assessments to see if your cognitive problems are due to dementia or another cause. You might also need an MRI scan of your brain and a psychiatric evaluation.
How is dementia treated?
Treating dementia begins with proper management of any underlying medical conditions. You might also benefit from nutritional supplementation and medication to correct brain chemical and hormonal imbalances.
Intravenous (IV) medication infusions are available to treat diseases causing dementia. For example, aducanumab-avwa destroys clumps of proteins called beta-amyloid plaques in the brain. Research indicates these plaques damage brain neurons (nerve cells), leading to dementia.
IV infusions introduce medications directly into your bloodstream through a cannula (slim, flexible tubing) in an arm vein. This delivery method is a safe and effective way of receiving treatment for dementia.
Getting more forgetful as you age is natural, so becoming a bit absent-minded doesn’t mean you have dementia. If you’re worried, call Advanced Neurology Specialists, LLC, or request an appointment online today.