Changes in the Aging Brain: Dementia Basics
Learn the common symptoms
As we age, our bodies and brains are always changing. Over time, we may experience changes in our hearing or vision. We may also have difficulty remembering and thinking clearly.
Many of us have heard of Alzheimer's, but there are actually 4 main types of dementia. Understanding dementia and your brain may help you identify common symptoms that you can discuss with your health care team.
Dementia basics
Dementia is a group of brain conditions that makes it harder to remember, reason, or communicate. At one time, dementia was accepted as a normal part of aging. But it's actually caused by ongoing damage to cells in the brain.
Symptoms differ depending on which parts of the brain are affected, and the stage of the disease. The most common symptoms include:
Memory loss, including trouble with directions and familiar tasks
Having language problems, such as trouble getting words out or understanding what is said
Finding it difficult to plan, organize or exercise judgement
Experiencing changes in behavior and personality
Types of dementia
Dementia has many types. In some cases, the main causes can be treated. In other cases, dementia is part of how the disease progresses. Some of the most common types of dementia are:
Alzheimer's disease: This is a series of changes to the brain's nerve cells that happens most commonly in older adults. It's the most common cause of dementia in older adults.
Vascular Dementia: A stroke or series of strokes can cause brain damage that leads to dementia.
Lewy Body Dementia: Abnormal proteins called Lewy bodies can build up in the brain and cause damage.
Frontotemporal Degeneration: This type of dementia happens when there is damage to the frontal and temporal lobes.
Keep in mind that there are sometimes other causes. Low levels of vitamins B1 or B12, thyroid problems, and problems with blood sugar, calcium, or sodium levels in the body can cause symptoms of dementia. Many of these causes can be treated, and the symptoms of dementia can get better.
Talk to your doctor
It's common to forget or lose things sometimes, but if you're finding that your memory loss is getting in the way of your everyday life, you should discuss that with your health care team. Consider writing down problems when they happen and using Secure Messaging to describe any signs of dementia to your doctor. Your provider may run exams and tests to determine if changes in your memory and thinking are due to a type of dementia, normal aging, or another problem.
Please vote in our unscientific poll. All responses are anonymous.
