Memory Disorders: How Do I Know If I Have Dementia?
Tend to forget where you signed the keys?
Meet someone but forget his name?
Not every memory disorder in old age is a sign of dementia.
When is a benign and treatable memory disorder, what are the symptoms of dementia and what is the best prevention strategy?
Professor Eli Mizrahi, a geriatrician and psychogeriatrician, expands on the subject
Prof. Eli Mizrahi, in collaboration with zap doctors
09/09/2021
Thursday, 09 September 2021, 07:55 Updated: Monday, 20 September 2021, 09:44
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Suffering from memory disorders?
You should check yourself (Photo: ShutterStock)
Memory disorders are very common in old age, some are considered benign and some are not benign and can develop into dementia and Alzheimer's.
Benign memory disorder is age-related and is described as a condition that results from difficulty remembering - in other words there is a problem with the speed of retrieving information from the database in the brain.
For example when we meet randomly on the street, a person we have known for many years, but only after a minute or two do we suddenly remember his name or we try to remember the name of a street and only after a while the information floats from memory.
The phenomenon can also be experienced in the form of forgetfulness which means we walked from the kitchen to the living room and forgot what we wanted to do - in this situation it is usually advisable to get back on track or “turn a glass” until the information floats again.
As I mentioned earlier not every memory disorder is a symptom of Alzheimer's but as we get older the incidence of the phenomenon increases and this is because the speed of nerve conduction decreases over the years and therefore there is a delay in retrieving the information.
If this phenomenon does not include a decrease in day-to-day functioning, there is no cause for concern.
But a combination of memory loss and dysfunction, as a result of that memory loss, can certainly herald the onset of dementia.
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Short-term memory impairment while maintaining proper daily functioning
Another memory disorder that is prevalent in the third age is called Mild Cognitive Impairment (mild cognitive impairment) which is diagnosed as short-term memory impairment while the daily functioning remains fully preserved.
This is also the difference between a mild cognitive impairment, and dementia, since in dementia the decrease in memory comes along with a decrease in daily functioning.
Every year, about 15% of people with the phenomenon will be diagnosed with Alzheimer's dementia - but not everyone with a mild cognitive impairment will necessarily develop Alzheimer's.
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The differences between dementia and Alzheimer's
The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer's disease, with 60% of people with dementia being diagnosed with Alzheimer's dementia. The symptoms of the disease are manifested in a decrease in short-term memory, a substantial difficulty in learning new information, difficulty in finding words, planning and executing plans from power to execution as well as impairing complex functions such as driving and operating electrical equipment. In the advanced stage of the disease as a result of a significant decrease in mental ability, there is evidence of impairment also in the patient's basic daily functioning, which is manifested in difficulties in making transitions, walking, controlling needs and eating. As the disease progresses we will see how the patient tends to isolate and if the patient is still working actively he may find himself forgetting the professional knowledge that has served him for years.
Dementia in general and Alzheimer's dementia is an impairment of mental ability that leads to impairment in day-to-day functioning compared to previous functional ability, meaning it can be safely indicated that the patient has performed better in the past and with the disease his level of functioning deteriorates.
Dementia may also occur after a stroke or in combination with these factors for dementia that occur simultaneously in the patient.
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Risk factors for dementia
The most common risk factor for developing Alzheimer's dementia is age, with about 2% of those aged 64-65 likely to develop the disease, and 25% of those aged 80 and over, with women at higher risk of developing the disease than men.
Other risk factors are all known risk factors for the development of heart disease or stroke, depression, vitamin 12B deficiency and folic acid as well as alcoholism.
Cases where dementia can be ruled out
As mentioned earlier, not every decline in mental ability indicates dementia - but it must be examined whether it is a cognitive decline due to certain factors that can be treated or whether it is a persistent chronic disease that can not be cured on the one hand, but on the other hand can be treated to relieve the patient.
There are a number of reversible factors for cognitive decline that initially appear as dementia:
• Severe depression - can lead to impaired patient concentration and consequently impaired short-term memory.
Treating depression can also solve the problem of declining mental ability.
Medications - Providing sedatives, antipsychotics, antidepressants.
• Deficiency of vitamin 12B
•
Hypothyroidism
Strategies for the prevention of dementia
Dementia is a chronic disease that cannot be cured but that does not mean that it is not preventable. Adherence to a lifestyle that reduces the risk of developing the disease is the most important and significant initial prevention. Reduce stress and strain, adopt a "brain fitness" routine, solve crossword puzzles, solve puzzles, read, play with a computer or cards, write, put together puzzles. Be sure to exercise that has already been proven as a factor that can facilitate the development of the disease. Stick to a Mediterranean diet - fish, milk, vegetables, fruits, and drinking water. Plan ahead, balance between work and leisure and set a regular break time in your diary that allows you to relax. In addition, it is recommended to take vitamin C and E, which are considered antioxidants, to avoid smoking and drinking a lot of alcohol and often do what makes you happy - so you will stay away from the disease and enjoy quality of life even in the third and fourth years.
If you or your family members feel that they have a certain decrease in their mental or functional ability - contact a geriatrician for evaluation and guidance, because it is very possible that the current condition does not indicate chronic dementia or alternatively it is a reversible decrease in mental ability that can be treated by healthy lifestyle and medication. For general medical evaluation.
The author is Professor Eli Mizrahi, a geriatrician and a psychogeriatrician, director of the Shmuel Harofe Geriatric Medical Center in Beer Yaakov.
To contact us to arrange a home visit and for information, call:
Clinic: 077-2307842
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