Dementia Specialist

What causes dementia?

Dementia is known for leading to memory loss, although it can also affect your cognitive function, social abilities, and thinking. If you have dementia, it could be caused by damage to certain nerve cells and the way they connect to your brain. Some of the most common types and causes of dementia include:

• Alzheimer’s disease, often caused by plaque and fibrous protein clumps in your brain
• Vascular dementia, which is linked to the decreased blood supply to your brain
• Frontotemporal dementia, which stems from the degeneration of nerve cells
• Lewy body dementia, caused by abnormal clumps of protein 

You can even have a combination of these issues, or others, that can lead to dementia. While dementia can affect anyone of any age, when you get it and how it affects you can be linked to having a family history of dementia, following a sedentary lifestyle, or having poorly controlled diabetes. 

How do I know if I have dementia?

Dementia leads to complex signs and symptoms that generally develop gradually over time. If you or a loved one has dementia, you may notice:

• Paranoia 
• Confusion
• Memory loss
• Disorientation
• Poor coordination
• Difficulty communicating
• Difficulty performing daily tasks

Since dementia is progressive and symptoms can worsen, especially if you don’t get started on treatment, the team at Katy Internists provides comprehensive care. 

Can I get treatment for dementia?

Yes. Dementia can be overwhelming for both the patient and their families, so the compassionate team at Katy Internists work diligently to find just the right types of solutions. Treating dementia can involve:

• Medications to regulate glutamate and other brain chemical messengers (memantine)
• Medications to boost levels of chemical brain messengers (cholinesterase inhibitors)
• Antidepressant or sleep medications 
• Occupational therapy 

Your dedicated physician can even counsel you on how to modify the environment for yourself or your loved one struggling with dementia. Minimizing clutter, hiding dangerous objects (such as knives), and installing a monitoring system on your doors and windows are all steps you can take to manage dementia. 

If you have dementia, the highly skilled team at Katy Internists can help. Book your dementia evaluation online today or call the clinic directly to speak with a team member.