Warning Signs of Dementia: Dementia, a Collection of Symptoms

In the medical world, dementia is somewhat of a mystery. Are you aware of the warning signs collectively labeled as dementia?

What is dementia?   

Dictionary.com defines dementia as being “severe impairment or loss of intellectual capacity and personality integration, due to the loss of, or damage of neurons in the brain.” It also suggests that dementia is equivalent to “madness” or “being out of one’s mind”.

In the past, the word senility described a patient who was losing his or her mind. Senile has become an obsolete word. It is seldom, if ever, used in medical circles or health care scenarios today. The word, madness is also obsolete with a current trend towards the use of the word dementia. Another word used in the past, is demented. This has had both mental and spiritual implications, in terms of a patient regarded as being demon possessed.

Be aware that dementia is not Alzheimer’s disease, although the collective symptoms regarded as dementia, may be associated with it.

With this in mind, what are the warning signs of dementia?

Understanding that dementia as a collection of symptoms, rather than as a disease entity as such, is very important because these symptoms are the warning signs.

Note that the degree of severity of the symptoms suggesting dementia and the mental faculties that are involved depend upon which part of the brain is affected. There is a problem with basic, brain function and thus, the cognitive areas of the brain are involved. This means that the thinking, judgment and behavior of a patient demonstrating the collection of symptoms regarded as dementia, may be abnormal. Memory and language are often part of this scenario, as these may be or may become increasingly impaired over time. If so, this will become more and more evident.

There is a fine line between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, because when one’s mind and memory are both affected, one’s reality becomes increasingly unclear or indistinct. It may be difficult for a patient to define his or her own reality.

Appropriate communication is one way to recognize a patient is mentally sound, stable and healthy. Inappropriate communication should raise concern immediately. Is there evidence of increasing memory loss or perhaps the possibility of a more serious, underlying problem?

Does the patient appear to be oriented or confused with respect to time and place? Does he or she know his or her name and address? An ongoing medical investigation will help to determine the extent and severity of this kind of a problem. Because dementia is not a disease entity as such, but rather the collection of symptoms associated with confusion and disorientation, document the symptoms carefully.    

What makes dementia difficult to diagnose at times, is the reality that other disease entities can also demonstrate similar symptoms. For example, severe heart problems, diabetes, kidney disease, abuse of alcohol, nicotine and other substances, may be underlying factors that display similar symptoms.

Whenever a patient’s circulation is impaired as in severe heart disease or stroke activity, there may be dementia-like symptoms. This is also true in cases of severe malnutrition, vitamin and mineral deficiency or other serious illnesses, including different kinds of mental illness. For example, schizophrenia may manifest itself in terms of confusion and disorientation. Differential diagnosis is required to determine the root or cause of the confusion and disorientation.

When should one become alarmed?

Repeated, dramatic and sudden shifts in a patient’s behavior, mood and personality indicate the need for ongoing medical assessment.

Symptoms rarely occur alone. Increasing language impairment or the inability to carry out normal tasks associated with day-to-day living, may prove to be important warning signs. Forgetfulness, in conjunction with life style activities, constant losing or misplacing of important items or the continual repetition of words and phrases, suggests imminent, pending or actual deprivation of mental faculties. Demonstrating the inability to think properly, suggests further investigation may be necessary.

Underlying disease entities and the causes of symptoms collectively regarded as dementia, will become increasingly evident. It may be possible to treat some of the symptoms that appear to present dementia in a patient, depending upon the degree of progression of the disease entity.  

How long should one wait before becoming concerned? One must suggest that the patient needs an immediate assessment, diagnosis and treatment of his or her symptoms. The safety of the patient may be in question. This may also include the safety of others. Is the patient in early or later stages of the symptoms of dementia? This can only be determined with an ongoing assessment.

If you discover what you consider warning symptoms of dementia in a patient, document them accurately as to date, time, place and circumstances. Report the symptoms to a medical professional. Do not hesitate to act, as you may save the patient’s life or that of someone else.

Knowing the warning signs collectively regarded as dementia, is important for everyone because in the future, dementia may become a far more serious problem than anyone realizes at this time.