Dementia causes difficulty in daily life by causing memory loss, language problems, difficulty solving problems, and difficulty with other thinking abilities.  

Dementia is a term referring to generalized problems with brain functions, like heart disease is a general term that covers many different heart conditions.  Dementia is caused by abnormal brain changes that manifest by declining cognitive abilities (thinking skills).  Damaged brain cells interfere with the ability of the cells to communicate with each other.  

With the decline in thinking abilities, behaviors, feelings, and relationships are also affected.  Depending on the region of the brain affected by the damage, different functions will be affected, such as movement, judgment, and memory.  

Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of dementia.  Microscopic bleeding and the blockage of blood vessels in the brain are the second leading cause of dementia and is classified as vascular dementia.  Dementia was once thought to be a normal aspect of aging and labeled senility or senile dementia.  

Dementia treatment will depend on the cause.  Alzheimer’s disease has no cure, but medication may improve the symptoms temporarily.  

Research and clinical studies are in progress to find treatments for dementia.  Call Mara Fiorentino, M.D., to try treatment for your dementia today.