What is Dementia?

Dementia is a loss of mental function in two or more areas such as:

• language;



• judgment.



• memory;



• visual and spatial abilities; or

The losses are severe enough to interfere with a person's daily life.

Dementia itself is not a disease - it is a broader set of symptoms that accompanies certain diseases or physical conditions. Well-known diseases that cause dementia include:

• Alzheimer's Disease



• Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease



• Huntington's Disease



• Lewy Body Dementia



• Multi-Infarct Dementia



• Parkinson's Disease



• Pick's Disease
  
  

Other physical conditions that may cause or mimic dementia are:

• Brain tumors



• Depression



• Drug reactions



• Head injuries



• Hydrocephalus



• Infections (AIDS,meningitis, syphilis)



• Nutritional deficiencies



• Thyroid problems

Individuals experiencing dementia-like symptoms should undergo diagnostic testing as soon as possible. An early and accurate diagnosis helps to identify reversible conditions, gives patients a greater chance of benefiting from existing treatments, and allows them and their families more time to plan for the future.