Forgetfulness comes with aging, dementia comes with a host of other symptoms

While memory loss can be a common sign of aging, dementia and other cognitive conditions often come with a whole host of additional symptoms that are often noted in conjunction with memory issues.

Posted 9:00 a.m. Jun 6, 2019 — Updated 9:00 a.m. Jun 6, 2019

Coleen Hanson Smith

, freelance reporter

This article was written for our sponsor, Cape Fear Valley Health.

We hear a lot about dementia, but the truth is it's not exactly a disease. Dementia instead refers to a group of symptoms that are caused by damaged nerve cells in the brain.

By definition, dementia is a loss of mental abilities that interferes with the normal activities of daily life. Diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Creutzfeldt-Jakob and vascular dementia all cause dementia symptoms, among many others.

While memory loss can be a common sign of aging, dementia and these other conditions often come with a whole host of additional symptoms that are often noted in conjunction with memory issues.

"There are some subtle differences between the forgetfulness that comes as a normal part of aging and the memory or cognitive problems that might signify something that may require medical attention," explained Dr. Adebukola Taiwo, of Cape Fear Valley's Senior Health Services.

So, how can you tell what is normal and what symptoms may be the sign of something more serious?

Taiwo provided some loose guidelines on what to look for and when to seek medical advice.Most Likely Normal Aging

Most Likely Normal Aging Potential Sign of Dementia Misplacing household items – ie "Where is my phone?" Forgetting how to use household items – ie "What do I do with my phone?" Getting turned around in unfamiliar places. Getting completely lost in a familiar place. Occasionally missing a meeting or appointment. Repeatedly missing appointments – especially things that occur at the same time, same place on a regular basis. Looking slightly disheveled every now and then. Noticeable, recurrent changes in personal hygiene or appearance, such as forgetting to shower, putting clothes on incorrectly, et cetera. Forgetting a name, word or phrase until prompted or referenced by someone else – it's that "right on the tip of your tongue" brief moment, but it's still there. Forgetting your spouse or child's name. Changes in language abilities, such as using the word "dog" in place of the word "car," or the inability to understand or follow a discussion. Subtle decrease in appetite or changes in food preferences. Forgetting to eat altogether, significant weight loss, agitation during meals, not chewing food properly or frequent choking, et cetera. Memory lapses that are causing concern for the individual themselves. Memory or cognitive lapses, but the individual has no idea there is a problem. "What is everyone talking about?" mentality.

Who's At Risk for Dementia?

Dementia impacts more than 6 million Americans – most of whom are older than the age of 65.

Some causes of dementia such as Alzheimer's are more prevalent in women. Family history can also play a role.

Other risk factors include: heavy alcohol use, smoking, depression, sleep apnea, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.

Diagnosing Dementia

Unfortunately, diagnosing dementia isn't an exact science, but it starts with confirming the loss or impairment of two core functions enough to really impact a person's daily life. Those core functions include: memory, visual perception, language, ability to focus or pay attention, and the ability to reason and problem solve.

Once two core functions are lost, a physician may perform a variety of tests to identify or confirm the cause of dementia. This may include a combination of cognitive and neurological evaluations, imaging studies such as a CT, MRI or PET Scan, or lab tests.

"If you're concerned about a loved one, it's a good idea to write down specific instances that are concerning you and to review those concerns with their physician," Taiwo explained. "Noting the incidence [frequency] and the circumstances when memory loss or cognitive issues are occurring can really help the physician get a better sense of what is going on."

This article was written for our sponsor, Cape Fear Valley Health.

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