Do I have dementia if I forget my name or words?

of Number of dementia cases In the United States, the baby boomer generation grows older and raises questions about the baby boomers themselves, their families, caregivers and society. dementiaIs a term that technically refers to a disorder in the ability to think, remember, or make decisions, rather than a disease, and is one of the most feared disorders of old age.

Incidence increases dramatically as people Enter the 90s.. About 5% of 71-79 years old dementia, And about 37% of those around the age of 90 live with it.

Elderly people may be concerned about the cost and burden of care, as well as the loss of function for people with dementia. A 2018 study found that the cost of lifelong care for people with Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, USD 329,360.. That number will definitely rise, putting even more strain on family, Medicare and Medicaid.

There has been a lot of talk and coverage of dementia in recent months due to the US presidential election. Some voters asked if one or both candidates could have dementia. But is this a fair question? When these types of questions are posed-adding additional stigma to people with dementia-it can unreasonably further isolate them and those who care for them. We need to understand dementia and its impact on more than 5 million people in the United States living with dementia and their caregivers. The number is Expected to triple By 2060.

First, it is important to know that dementia cannot be diagnosed from a distance or by someone who is not a doctor. A detailed medical examination is required for diagnosis. From time to time, brain imaging is needed. Also, if you forget the words from time to time or the place where you put the key, you don’t have dementia. There are different types of memory loss and there can be different causes including other causes Medical conditionEven falling, or even drugs, including over-the-counter drugs such as herbs, supplements.

Older people are wondering and worried about the so-called senior moments and memory loss perceived by themselves and others. I see patients like this Every week at my old age clinic, they tell me their story. They can’t forget words, get lost in stories, lose keys, and can’t remember their names. The details are different, but the underlying concerns are the same: is this dementia?

Normal memory loss

As we get older, Cognitive change.. Older people often show poor memory. This is normal. Have you ever had a hard time getting facts from the back of Mind’s Lorodex? Let’s say you find someone in a grocery store that you haven’t seen in years. Maybe you recognize faces, but you don’t remember their names until late that night. This is normal and part of the expected change with age.

More of Potential problems I forget the names of people I see every day. Forget how to get to the places you often go to. Or, there is a problem in daily life such as eating, changing clothes, and hygiene.

If you have memory problems but do not interfere with your daily life, this is called mild cognitive impairment. Your doctor can diagnose you. However, it can sometimes get worse, so if you have mild cognitive impairment, your doctor should carefully watch.

I want to record the timing of failures. Did it decrease gradually? Or did it happen suddenly? Again, this should be discussed with a doctor who recommends MoCA. Montreal Cognitive Assessment test. Helps screen memory issues and determine if further evaluation is needed.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will also address issues in these areas. Possible signs of dementia:

• Memory
• Note
• communication
• Reasoning, judgment, problem solving
• Visual perception beyond typical age-related changes in vision

More serious problems

If memory loss interferes with your daily activities, talk to your doctor about what to do and how to make sure you are safe at home.

There are many types of severe amnesia.. Dementia tends to be a slow progression that occurs over months or years. Delirium is more sudden and can occur over hours or days, usually during acute illness. Depression can also cause changes in memory, especially as you get older.

Dementia and other brain problems

Alzheimer’s dementia is the most common type of dementia, followed by vascular dementia. They have similar symptoms: confused, lost, forgetting close friends and family, or unable to balance check books. Certain medical conditions (thyroid disorders, syphilis) can cause symptoms of dementia, and the less common types of dementia can have different types of symptoms. Alzheimer’s disease has a set of distinctive symptoms that are often associated with specific changes in the brain.

Focusing on safety and proper supervision especially at home is important for all people with dementia. Your doctor or Social worker Can help you Find support..

It is also important to recognize delirium and depression, two other things that can lead to poor mental function.

Delirium, a rapid change in dementia and mental function, occurs in people with acute medical disorders such as pneumonia and COVID-19 infection. Delirium can occur in the hospital or at home. The risk of delirium increases with age and previous brain damage. Symptoms include diminished attention and memory problems.

Depression can occur at any time, but it is common with age. How do you know if you are depressed? Here is a simple definition: When you feel unwell and lose interest and joy in what you once loved.

Sometimes people repeat episodes of depression. Sometimes depression is a long-standing grief. Symptoms include anxiety, despair, low energy, and memory loss. Talk to your doctor if you notice any signs of depression in yourself or your loved one. If you think you may harm yourself, call 911 for immediate assistance.

Any of these conditions can be horrifying. But even more scary is dementia that is either unrecognized or unrecognized. You are openly and honestly Memory Or think of it as your doctor. This is the first step in figuring out what’s happening and keeping your health at its best.

And, like other illnesses and groups of illnesses, dementia is not a “character defect” and this term should not be used to criticize a person. Dementia is a serious medical diagnosis. Ask the person who has it, the person who cares for it, or who treats them to us. It is difficult to have dementia. learn What you can do To support people with dementia in your own community.

This article is reissued from conversation Under Creative Commons license. Read Original work..