Dementia

Dementia often develops late in life and may affect up to 50% of people by the time they reach age 85. At internal medicine practice Socrates A. Garrigos, MD, PA, in McAllen, Texas, board-certified physician Socrates A. Garrigos, MD, and his team are experts in geriatric care, specializing in diagnosing and treating dementia. Though you can’t prevent dementia, the right treatment can help manage symptoms. Call today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about a dementia diagnosis and treatment.

I have a hard time recalling people’s names. Do I have dementia?

Having a hard time recalling a person’s name doesn’t mean you have dementia. Some memory loss is expected as you get older. Dementia affects mental function, causing a change in multiple areas.

A person with dementia may experience challenges in two or more of the following:

• Memory
• Reasoning
• Language
• Mood
• Behavior
• Coordination

Dementia isn’t a specific disease, but a term that describes a decline in mental state. Though your risk of dementia increases as you get older, not everyone develops it.

What causes dementia?

Dementia develops from diseases or infections that damage the areas of the brain that play a role in learning, memory, decision-making, or language. Some of the more common causes include:

Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia and occurs from a buildup of abnormal proteins in the brain that affect communication between nerve cells. 

Vascular dementia
Vascular dementia occurs from conditions that affect blood flow to the brain, such as a stroke or atherosclerosis (blockages or narrowing in the arteries). 

Lewy body dementia
Lewy body dementia occurs when you have a buildup of proteins (Lewy bodies) in the brain cells, causing nerve damage.

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD)
FTD is a type of dementia that occurs from a buildup of abnormal proteins in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, the parts that manage language, emotions, and memory.

What tests diagnose dementia?

No single test can diagnose dementia. The team at Socrates A. Garrigos, MD, PA, conducts a thorough evaluation for patients who are showing signs and symptoms of dementia. The evaluation may include:

• History and physical exam
• In-house diagnostics (bloodwork, imaging)
• Neurocognitive testing

The team may also order a psychiatric evaluation to check for mental health conditions that may cause changes in memory such as depression. 

What treatments help dementia? 

Treatment for dementia depends on the underlying cause. The team at Socrates A. Garrigos, MD, PA, customizes treatment plans, providing therapies that help with symptom management.

They can also talk to caregivers, providing them with resources that support the well-being of their loved one.

Call Socrates A. Garrigos, MD, PA, today or schedule an appointment online.