Diagnosis and Living Well

The Importance of the Diagnosis

Dementia can present itself with a wide variety of symptoms. There are 10 typical warning signs for dementia. If you, a family member or a friend are experiencing any of these symptoms it is important to consult your doctor for a thorough assessment. A person living with dementia will usually experience two or more of these symptoms and they would be severe enough to interfere with daily life.

There is no single diagnostic test for dementia. Doctors use a series of comprehensive assessments and testing to eliminate other possible causes. The assessments and tests include: personal history, physical examination, cognitive testing, and additional laboratory testing.

Depending on the results of the initial assessment brain scans may also be used to inform the diagnosis. These can greatly help in differentiating which type of dementia is implicated. Having a correct diagnosis improves the treatment and care plan that can be offered to the person with dementia, their caregiver and their family members.

Early diagnosis is crucial. Symptoms of dementia can be similar to symptoms of other conditions such as depression or delirium. Other chronic conditions such as hyper/hypothyroidism, heart disease, and diabetes need to be assessed. Many of these other chronic conditions can be treated. The earlier a treatment can be given, the more likely health benefits may be realized.

Finding the cause of the symptoms is important and allows people to:
- Understand the source of the symptoms
- Receive appropriate treatment and care planning
- Access advice, information and support
- Plan for the future

Living Well

Researchers are working to identify risk factors associated with dementia and to find ways of modifying those factors.

Here is a list of risk factors that have been associated with developing dementia:

Genetic Predisposition
Age
Sex (female)
Low levels of formal education
Smoking
High blood pressure
Problems with cholesterol
Obesity and lack of physical activity
Diabetes
Excessive alcohol consumption
Head injuries
Social isolation
Hearing loss

There are some factors that you cannot change, but some that you can. Therefore, the best prevention is to modify or work on those risk factors that you can influence/ risks factors that are modifiable. It is believed that reducing these risk factors may increase your brain and cognitive reserve.

There is also growing evidence that adopting key lifestyle habits can help reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Here are eight ways you can be brain healthy. It is never too early or too late to start:

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Diagnosis and Living Well

The Importance of the Diagnosis

Living Well

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