Dementia
Overview
This guide has information for people with dementia and their families and friends.
Symptoms
Find out about the main symptoms of dementia, how to get diagnosed and what to do if you've been diagnosed
Causes
Different diseases damage brain cells. Most common: Alzheimer's disease (abnormal proteins); Vascular dementia (reduced blood flow); Frontotemporal dementia; Dementia with Lewy bodies. Risk factors: age over 65, genetics, hearing loss, depression, sedentary lifestyle.
Treatment
No cure. Medications: Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine) for Alzheimer's; Memantine for moderate-severe cases. Non-drug: cognitive rehabilitation, occupational therapy, speech therapy, physiotherapy, psychological therapies, relaxation techniques.
Prevention
Healthy diet (Mediterranean); regular exercise (150min/week); maintain healthy weight; limit alcohol (max 14 units/week); stop smoking; manage blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes; stay mentally and socially active; address hearing loss.
When to see a doctor
See GP if: increasingly forgetful (especially if over 65); memory loss affecting daily life; difficulty with concentration and planning; personality changes; periods of mental confusion. Early diagnosis allows treatment and support.