Doctors can determine that a person has dementia with a high level of certainty. But it's harder to determine the exact type of dementia because the symptoms and brain changes of different dementias can overlap.
In some cases, a doctor may diagnose "dementia" and not specify a type. If this occurs, it may be necessary to see a specialist such as a neurologist, psychiatrist, psychologist or geriatrician. Learn more: Memory Tests Dementia help and support are available If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with dementia, you are not alone.
The Alzheimer's Association is one of the most trusted resources for information, education, referral and support. The first survivor of Alzheimer's is out there, but we won't get there without you. Treatment of dementia depends on its cause.
Others can temporarily slow the worsening of dementia symptoms and improve quality of life for those living with Alzheimer's and their caregivers. The same medications used to treat Alzheimer's are among the drugs sometimes prescribed to help with symptoms of other types of dementias. Non-drug therapies can also alleviate some symptoms of dementia. Ultimately, the path to effective new treatments for dementia is through increased research funding and increased participation in clinical studies.
Right now, volunteers are urgently needed to participate in clinical studies and trials about Alzheimer's and other dementias. Sprint for Discovery New research shows there are things we can do to reduce the risk of mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Learn more: Brain Health. Find Your Chapter. Take the Brain Tour. Learn More. Alzheimer's and Dementia. Find out more about memory assessments, how to get support and how to take care of your wellbeing while waiting for your appointment from the Next Steps website.
It's important to make good use of your time with the specialist. Write down questions you want to ask, make a note of any medical terms the doctor uses, and ask if you can come back if you think of more questions later.
Taking the opportunity to go back can be very helpful. The specialist may organise more tests. If the specialist is still not certain about the diagnosis, you may need to have further, more complex tests. But most cases of dementia can be diagnosed after these assessments. A study by the Alzheimer's Society has shown that more than half of people wait for up to a year before getting help for dementia symptoms, because they feel afraid.
But an accurate and early diagnosis can have many benefits. After you've had the necessary tests or sometimes before the tests , your doctor should ask if you want to know your diagnosis. They should explain what having dementia might mean for you and give you time to talk about the condition and ask questions. Unless you decide otherwise, your doctor, or a member of their team, should talk to you and your family or carer about:.
After you've been diagnosed with dementia, the GP should arrange to see you from time to time, to check how you're managing. The memory service where you were assessed may also continue to see you in the early stages. The GP and the specialist may also jointly prescribe medicines that may help some of the symptoms of dementia. But not everyone will benefit from these medicines. During a follow-up appointment with a GP, or other healthcare professional, they'll check how the dementia is progressing and if you have any new care needs.
Ongoing appointments are also a chance to talk about your plans for the future, such as Lasting Power of Attorney , to take care of your future welfare or financial needs, or an advance statement about your future care. If you're diagnosed with dementia, or mild cognitive impairment MCI , you may be able to help scientists better understand the condition by taking part in research.
Dementia research projects are happening around the world, and some are based in the UK. Your doctor will review your medical history and symptoms and conduct a physical examination. He or she will likely ask someone close to you about your symptoms as well. No single test can diagnose dementia, so doctors are likely to run a number of tests that can help pinpoint the problem.
Doctors will evaluate your thinking ability. A number of tests measure thinking skills, such as memory, orientation, reasoning and judgment, language skills, and attention. Doctors evaluate your memory, language, visual perception, attention, problem-solving, movement, senses, balance, reflexes and other areas. Simple blood tests can detect physical problems that can affect brain function, such as vitamin B deficiency or an underactive thyroid gland. Sometimes the spinal fluid is examined for infection, inflammation or markers of some degenerative diseases.
A mental health professional can determine whether depression or another mental health condition is contributing to your symptoms. Our caring team of Mayo Clinic experts can help you with your dementia-related health concerns Start Here. Cholinesterase inhibitors. These medications — including donepezil Aricept , rivastigmine Exelon and galantamine Razadyne — work by boosting levels of a chemical messenger involved in memory and judgment.
Although primarily used to treat Alzheimer's disease, these medications might also be prescribed for other dementias, including vascular dementia, Parkinson's disease dementia and Lewy body dementia. Side effects can include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Other possible side effects include slowed heart rate, fainting and sleep disturbances. Memantine Namenda works by regulating the activity of glutamate, another chemical messenger involved in brain functions, such as learning and memory.
In some cases, memantine is prescribed with a cholinesterase inhibitor. Several dementia symptoms and behavior problems might be treated initially using nondrug approaches, such as:. Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition. Dementia symptoms and behavior problems will progress over time. Caregivers and care partners might try the following suggestions:. Encourage exercise. The main benefits of exercise in people with dementia include improved strength, balance and cardiovascular health.
Exercise might also help with symptoms such as restlessness. There is growing evidence that exercise also protects the brain from dementia, especially when combined with a healthy diet and treatment for risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Some research also shows that physical activity might slow the progression of impaired thinking in people with Alzheimer's disease, and it can lessen symptoms of depression. Establish a nighttime ritual. Behavior is often worse at night. Try to establish going-to-bed rituals that are calming and away from the noise of television, meal cleanup and active family members. Leave night lights on in the bedroom, hall and bathroom to prevent disorientation.
Limiting caffeine, discouraging napping and offering opportunities for exercise during the day might ease nighttime restlessness.
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