Dementia

Dementia is a medical term for a decline in mental ability that affects daily life, impacting memory, thinking and social skills.

Dementia is not a normal part of aging, but rather caused by damage to brain cells responsible for carrying messages. This damage disrupts the brain's abilty to function properly. 

Types of Dementia

While dementia affects everyone differently, most cases fall into one of for main types, with some people experiencing a mix of symptoms. Below are four of the most common causes treated here at Knight Neurology. 

Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia. Alzheimer's often appears as difficulties with memory, thinking, language and/ or perception. 

Vascular Dementia

Vascular dementia, the second most common type, often presents early on with difficulties in planning, organizing, decision making, or problem-solving.

Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB)

DLB is caused by Lewy Body Disease. Symptoms of DLB include experiencing challenged with focus, delusions, movement, and sleep.

Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)

FTD, a less common type of dementia, is sometimes referred to as Pick's disease or frontal lobe dementia. FTD is more commonly characterized by personality or behavioral changes, and/ or language difficulties. 

Symptoms

While dementia is unique to each individual and varies across types, some common early signs and symptoms exist. These include:

• Memory loss

Issues recalling recent events or experiences. 

• Difficulty concentrating, planning, and/ or organizing

Struggling to make decisions, solve problems or follow a series of steps.

• Language & communication difficulties

Difficulties following a conversation or finding the right word. 

• Difficulty interpreting visual information 

Issues judging distances, perceiving objects, and/ or misinterpreting patterns or reflections. 

• Confusion surrounding time and/ or place

Losing track of time or date/ becoming confused about location. 

• Mood instability 

Becoming increasingly anxious, irritable, sad, or fearful along with loss of interest and changes in personality. 

Diagnosis & Treatment

Knight Neurology cares for many patients with progressive dementia. Our physicians establish long-term relationships with their patients and families to ensure the patient with dementia gets the ongoing care and support they need.

Treatment for dementia may depend on the type and severity of symptoms. Your plan may include:

• Medications aimed at improving cognitive function.

• Occupational therapy.

• Regular exercise & a balanced diet.

 For long-term compassionate dementia care, call our Rockledge, FL office at (321) 345-6331 or request an appointment online.