Dementia is a medical condition that is seen mostly in elderly people. What happens during dementia? If someone in your family or friend circle has been diagnosed with dementia, here's what you should know.
Someone going through dementia shows the following signs: memory loss, unnecessary reasoning, forgetting certain words, coordination imbalance, change in mood and behaviour.
What is Dementia?
Dementia is a group of brain-related medical conditions. It causes a gradual decline in memory and thinking skills. This decline affects judgment, language, and the ability to focus. People with dementia often struggle to remember names or recent events. They may get confused even in familiar places or situations.
Daily tasks like cooking or dressing become increasingly difficult. Changes in mood, behaviour, and personality are also common.
Dementia is not a normal part of ageing. It results from damage to brain cells over time. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. There is currently no cure, but treatments can help manage symptoms.
How Many Types of Dementia are There?
There are several different types of dementia, each with unique causes. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common and well-known type of dementia. It mainly affects memory, thinking, and behaviour over time.
Vascular dementia is caused by reduced blood flow to the brain. It often occurs after a brain stroke or small blood vessel damage. Lewy body dementia involves abnormal protein deposits in the brain. This type can cause hallucinations, confusion, and movement problems.
Frontotemporal dementia affects the brain’s front and side areas. It leads to personality changes and trouble with language. Some people may have more than one type of dementia.
Am I at Risk of Dementia?
Anyone can develop dementia, but some people have a higher risk. Age is the biggest risk factor; dementia is more common after 65. Family history may increase your chances if relatives had dementia.
Poor heart health can also raise your risk of brain damage. Conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes can affect brain function.
Smoking and heavy drinking also increase dementia risk over time. Lack of exercise and poor diet may contribute to mental decline. Low mental or social activity may affect your brain health. Protecting your brain early can reduce your risk later in life.
There’s no single test that can definitively say if you're risk-free or at risk of developing dementia. However, doctors use a combination of screenings, scans, and blood tests to assess your brain health and overall risk.
Common diagnostic tests to assess dementia risk are MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination) and MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment). They help identify early signs of cognitive decline.
Also, there are brain imaging scans, which check for changes or damage in your brain. An MRI or CT Scan shows brain shrinkage, strokes, or tumours.
If needed, you can refer to the best neurologist for a detailed treatment plan for your mental condition.
Consult our expert neurologists in Gurgaon for dementia diagnosis and care
Contact us to schedule your consultation
How to Keep My Brain Healthy to Prevent Dementia?
A healthy lifestyle may lower your risk of developing dementia later. You can take steps to keep your brain healthy as you age.
- Exercise regularly to improve blood flow and support brain function.
- Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Stay mentally active with reading, puzzles, or learning new skills.
- Socialise often to keep your mind sharp and reduce stress.
- Get enough sleep; your brain needs rest to work properly.
- Manage health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high-cholesterol.
- Avoid smoking and limit alcohol, as they harm brain cells.
- Protect your head from injury during activities or falls.
Which Illnesses Can Mimic Dementia Symptoms?
Some infections and immune disorders can cause dementia-like symptoms temporarily. Fever or the body fighting infections may affect memory and thinking. Conditions like multiple sclerosis can damage nerves and mimic dementia signs. Thyroid problems and low blood sugar may cause personality and memory changes. Lack of vitamins like B-1, B-6, B-12, copper, or vitamin E can affect brain function.
Side effects or interactions of some medicines can cause similar symptoms. Bleeding in the brain’s covering, often after falls, can look like dementia. Brain tumours and fluid buildup in the brain can also cause dementia symptoms.
See a doctor if you notice memory problems affecting daily life. If confusion, trouble speaking, or sudden mood changes occur, seek help. Difficulty walking, frequent falls, or loss of bladder control are warning signs.
If symptoms come on quickly or worsen rapidly, don’t wait to get checked. Sudden headaches, dizziness, or weakness should prompt immediate medical attention. If you experience changes after starting new medicines, talk to your doctor.
Unexplained weight loss, fatigue, or loss of appetite also needs evaluation. Early diagnosis can help treat reversible causes and manage symptoms better. Always trust your instincts; getting help early improves outcomes and quality of life.
How Artemis Hospitals Provide the Right Care for Dementia?
At Artemis Hospitals, we provide holistic, patient-centred dementia care using a multidisciplinary approach. Our focus combines medical, behavioural, and social support to improve quality of life.
Our Artemis Geriatric Excellence (AGE) program leads care with geriatricians, neurologists, physiotherapists, dietitians, and psychologists. We manage everything from early screening to long-term care. Our Neurology team diagnoses dementia types using advanced imaging like MRI and CT scans, creating personalised treatment plans. Our Psychiatry department addresses behavioural symptoms such as anxiety and depression through therapy and medications. Our Rehabilitation services help maintain mobility and daily living skills with physical and occupational therapy.
Our laboratory services support diagnosis by ruling out other conditions through blood and genetic tests.
We emphasise early diagnosis, personalised care, and managing co-existing age-related illnesses. Supporting caregivers through counselling and training is a priority. Our “Sarthi” home-based care program extends our services to patients at home, using telecare and AI technology for continuous support.
At Artemis, we ensure smooth, compassionate, and transparent care tailored to each patient’s unique needs. To book an appointment with us, call +91 9800400498.
Article By Dr. Vivek Barun
Sr. Consultant - Neurology & Epilepsy
Artemis Hospitals
Frequently Asked Questions
What actually is dementia?
Dementia is a group of conditions that cause problems with memory, thinking, and behaviour. It interferes with daily life and usually gets worse over time.
What is the main cause of dementia?
The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. Other causes include stroke (vascular dementia), abnormal protein deposits (Lewy body dementia), and damage to the brain’s front and side regions (frontotemporal dementia).
How is dementia caused?
Dementia is caused by damage to brain cells, which disrupts how the brain works. This damage may come from ageing, diseases, poor blood flow, injuries, or genetic factors.
How does dementia usually start?
Dementia often starts with mild memory loss, confusion, or difficulty finding words. Early symptoms may seem small but gradually affect daily life.
What are the 5 early signs of dementia?
Here are some early signs of dementia:
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life
- Trouble planning or solving problems
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks
- Confusion with time or place
- Changes in mood, personality, or behaviour
How does a person with dementia behave?
People with dementia may forget things, repeat questions, get confused, or lose interest in activities. They might become anxious, frustrated, or withdrawn.
How did people get dementia?
People may develop dementia due to age-related brain changes, family history, head injuries, poor heart health, or lifestyle factors like smoking and lack of exercise.
Where does dementia occur?
Dementia affects the brain, particularly areas involved in memory, decision-making, language, and behaviour.
Is dementia treatable?
Dementia has no cure, but treatments can help manage symptoms. Some causes, like vitamin deficiencies or medication side effects, may be reversible.
What is stage 7 of dementia?
Stage 7 is the final stage of dementia. The person may lose the ability to speak, walk, or respond to their surroundings. Full-time care is usually needed.
How long can a person live with dementia?
Life expectancy varies. On average, people live 8–10 years after diagnosis, but some live 20 years or more, depending on overall health and type of dementia.
Can you live 20 years with dementia?
Yes, some people live 20 years with dementia, especially if diagnosed early and cared for well. The progression varies widely between individuals.
Which is the best psychiatrist near me?
Book an appointment at Artemis Hospitals and meet with our specialists. We have a team of the best psychiatrists and dementia doctors to help you with your mental condition, whether it is dementia or some other mental illness.
Which is the best mental hospital in Gurgaon?
Artemis is the Best Mental Health Hospital in Gurgaon, India. We’ve a team of experienced neurologists, psychiatrists, and psychologists, as well as our advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities, to help you throughout the process.
