If you suspect you or a loved one might be showing signs of dementia, your first step should 
be to see your doctor. It is only through various tests that an actual diagnosis can be made.
Common Signs of Dementia
These are all common signs of dementia that indicate that it is time to visit your doctor.
* Subtle short-term memory changes, such as not remembering the name of a person you know well, or a common object
* Difficulty following conversations
* Changes in mood or personality, such as being very quiet, or suddenly aggressive and loud
* Listlessness; a lack of interest in things they normally do
* Trouble completing tasks you would usually do, such as at work or around the house
* Confusion, lack of awareness of what day or time it is, where you are and how you got there
* Difficulty following movies or TV shows
* Getting lost more often, even in familiar areas
Not All Memory Loss Is Dementia
The good news is that not all memory loss is dementia, and not all dementia is Alzheimer’s. In many cases, there can be simple lifestyle reasons as to why your memory isn’t as sharp as it used to be. Three main causes are stress, lack of quality sleep, and certain medications.
Your doctor can help you with all of these. There are many effective stress management techniques. Your doctor can review your sleep habits to make sure your nightly routine is a good stepping stone to a full night of high-quality sleep. Certain medications have known side effect of impairing memory. Your doctor can usually offer alternatives that won’t harm your memory, and monitor you to see if your symptoms improve or even disappear.
=> Click here to learn about different types of dementia
Early Detection Is Key
As with most medical conditions, early detection can often be the key to a better outcome, rather than having waited to see a doctor until things have progressed too far.
Your primary care doctor will be your first stop. They will run blood tests and urinalysis to detect any underlying health issue that might be triggering memory issues. For example, high blood pressure, diabetes and thyroid issues can all lead to memory problems. If they discover any medical condition, it can be treated and you can monitor whether or not memory returns.
Being Referred to Specialists
Depending on what the first set of tests uncovers, a person suffering from memory loss will usually either be treated, or referred to one or more specialists. Each of these specialists can help decide if it is dementia, or some other brain health issue.
Neurologist
A neurologist will help determine whether the structure of the brain is normal, and the degree of cognitive function.
Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist can help determine whether or not the behavioral changes which might have manifested are a sign of dementia, or of a mood disorder.
Geriatrician
A geriatrician specializes in the medical conditions suffered by older people. They can help formulate a treatment plan depending on whether or not the person is suffering from cognitive impairment, dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Diagnostic Tests
Each doctor will administer verbal tests and tests on paper to the patient; these are an established method to help diagnose dementia. And if dementia is present, the tests will also determine the rate of decline, such as in Alzheimer’s.
They might also order CT scans, MRIs and other imaging tests to determine if the structure of the brain has changed in any way, such as due to a tumor or a stroke. Again, depending on what is found, the doctor will determine a course of treatment or other plan of action to deal with the memory loss.
How to Make the Most of Your Doctor’s Visit
If your memory loss (or that of a loved one) has started to worry you, your first step should be to go to the doctor. Early detection of any medical condition can often be the best way to get a good outcome.
But before you go, there are a number of steps you can take to help you make the most of what can often be a short space of time for your doctor’s visit. Here are some things to prepare before you go.
1. Keep a Journal
In this journal, you can write down all the things you have noticed about yourself, or about your loved one, in terms of:
* Physical symptoms
* Mental symptoms/obvious memory loss that affected your ability to work or do chores as you/they normally would
* Changes in behavior – note the behavior, what happened, and how long the episode lasted
Try to keep track of “milestones”, such as:
* When the symptoms first appeared
* Are you worse at certain times of the day than others?
* Can you spot any triggers, such as stress, lack of sleep, or a new medication?
Note down:
* Have the symptoms changed over time? In what ways?
* What has been tried in order to improve memory? Examples might include establishing new routines, doing “brain exercises” on sites like Luminosity.com, and so on.
2. Make a List of Current Medications
Include both prescription and over-the-counter drugs, including:
* Vitamins
* Supplements
* Herbal remedies
* Patches (such as for pain or stopping smoking)
* Eyedrops
* Antacids
* And so on
List:
* The name of the drug
* The dosage, such as 25 milligrams
* The frequency the pill is taken, such as twice a day
* The doctor who prescribed it
* Why it was prescribed
* How long it has been taken
* Any suspected side effects
You should be able to find all of the factual data on the bottle about the prescription drugs you take. For non-prescription drugs, consider bringing the bottles with you in a clear, plastic zippered storage bag or two.
It is important to know who prescribed the medicine and why because as we get older, we tend to see more than one doctor or specialist, and each will make their own recommendations. However, this can lead to medications that interact with each other.
The other issue is what the medicine is designed to deal with. Do you have a short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic) condition? If it is acute, you should probably not be taking, for example, opioid pain relievers for months or years.
Many medicines and over-the-counter remedies like antacids are known “memory stealers”, so you can discuss with the doctor if there are any alternatives that can be switched to. The average 50-year-old takes eight prescription medications per day, plus vitamins and herbs, so any of these items could be the culprit.
The trend in medicine these days is “de-prescribing” – that is, taking people off many of the medicines they have been taking for years. When discussing your options with your doctor, be sure to give them a list of any drug allergies you might have, such as to penicillin, and mention any major underlying health issue, such as heart problems. In this way, they should be able to make recommendations that will improve memory and keep you safe.
3. Bring a Pen and Paper or a Notebook
It’s always a good idea to take notes at an appointment about what was discussed and done, such as blood work and cognitive tests. You should also write down any follow-up steps.
4. Take Another Person with You
Another person can lend moral support and pick up on things you might miss. They can also act as a “scribe”, using the pen and paper to make notes so you can concentrate on interacting with the doctor. Then you can review the notes together after.