Dementia
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Advanced Center For Neurology & Headache
Neurologist located in Valencia, CA
Dementia is a common degenerative condition affecting your memory and much more. Board-certified neurologist Yuvraj Grewal, MD, and the team at Advanced Center for Neurology and Headache offer effective diagnosis of dementia to match you with appropriate treatments as soon as possible. The practice is conveniently located in Valencia, California. Don’t delay, call today or schedule a consultation online.
Dementia Q & A
What is dementia?
Dementia refers to a group of diseases where you lose cognitive functioning, such as thinking, remembering, and reasoning. As the condition progresses, it interferes with your daily life and activities.
Dementia occurs when the once-healthy nerve cells in the brain, known as neurons, stop working as they should and die. While everyone loses some neurons with age, with dementia, you lose a far greater number of neurons.
The loss of neurons may affect your:
- Memory
- Language skills
- Self-management
- Problem-solving ability
- Visual perception
- Ability to focus and pay attention
In some cases, you may find it hard to control your emotions or your personality may change.
Dementia ranges from mild to severe. The mildest stage is the initial stage when the disease begins to affect functioning. In the most severe stage, the disease affects all of the necessary activities of living.
What causes dementia?
The causes of dementia can vary. However, Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia in older adults.
Other forms of dementia include:
- Lewy body dementia
- Frontotemporal disorders
- Vascular dementia
You may have more than one kind of dementia, a condition called mixed dementia. For example, it's possible to have both Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.
While dementia is more prevalent with age, it’s not a customary part of the aging process. Many people live into their 90s and beyond without any signs of dementia.
How is dementia diagnosed?
Your provider at Advanced Center for Neurology and Headache takes a complete medical history. They ask whether dementia runs in your family, and when you first noticed your symptoms. They perform neurological tests to evaluate your sensory responses, balance, reflexes, and other cognitive functions.
Your provider may recommend other tests to rule out an underlying treatable condition, such as abnormal thyroid function or a vitamin deficiency that’s causing cognitive difficulties.
How is dementia treated?
Once your provider completes your diagnosis, they recommend an appropriate treatment plan to help manage your condition and promote your optimal health. Although there’s no cure for dementia, medication may help your condition temporarily.
If you suspect that you or a loved one has signs of dementia, contact Advanced Center for Neurology and Headache for an early diagnosis. Catching dementia at an early stage may help your provider to manage your condition more effectively. Call today or schedule a consultation online.
