Dementia is a broad term which describes symptoms affecting memory, thinking ability that creates hindrance in performing daily activities. Two important brain functions are badly hit namely- memory and judgment. A person suffering from dementia is incapable to perform activities like paying bills or becoming lost while driving.

Memory loss alone doesn’t mean a person has dementia because memory loss is an integral part of ageing. Most aged people suffer from memory loss, but that doesn’t mean they have dementia. There are many causes of dementia one of which is Alzheimer's disease. Some causes may be reversed.

Symptoms of Dementia

Most common signs of dementia include:

• Memory Loss
• Difficulty in communication or searching words
• Unable to complete tasks
• Inability to do planning and organizing
• Getting lost or issues with disorientation
• Behavioral changes
• Hallucinations
• Inability to reason

Causes of Dementia

When an individual suffers from dementia, his/her nerve cells in the brain get damaged. Dementia affects people differently depending upon the affected area in the brain. Dementia can be grouped in two categories-

1. Which cannot be reversed and deteriorate overtime and
2. Which can be reversed when treated timely

Types of dementias that are irreversible

• Alzheimer's disease 
• Vascular dementia 
• Lewy body dementia 
• Frontotemporal dementia 

Conditions linked to dementia which can be overturned in time

• Infections and immune disorders 
• Metabolic issues and endocrine deformity 
• Nutritional deficiencies 
• Reactions to medications 
• Poisoning 
• Brain tumors 
• Anoxia 
• Normal-pressure hydrocephalus

Examination and diagnoses for Dementia

Dementia and other related conditions have multiple causes and treating them can be a daunting task for your medical practitioner. You may require several sitting with the doctor. Your doctor will go through your medical history and conduct regular physical examination. He/she may perform a number of tests in order to diagnose dementia and rule out other health conditions.

Thinking and neuropsychological tests

In these tests, doctor will assess your thinking function. These tests are necessary to measure skills like memory, attention, judgment, reasoning and more. On the basis of these tests, neurologists get to know the magnitude of dementia and which part of brain it has affected.

Neurological assessment

In this test, neurologists will gauge your senses, movements, reflexes, flexibility etc. It helps in knowing whether conditions, other than dementia, prevail or not.

Lab Tests

General blood tests can rule out the possibility of any physical problem that can affect brain functionality.

Psychiatric assessment

Your doctor may refer to a psychologist in order to determine whether depression or any other psychological condition may be causing your symptoms.

Simple home remedies to deal with dementia

Enhance communication, encourage exercise, active participation in various games and thinking activities Encourage keeping a calendar Planning for the future.