Whether you’re worried about your own memory lapses or you have a family member who forgets events, gets lost in familiar places, or routinely misplaces their possessions, it’s important to get an early evaluation so that you can take steps to improve the problem. Dr. Sujatha Borra is an expert in the field who treats each patient with compassion and concern for their welfare. To learn more about dementia or schedule an appointment, call the office in Tampa, Florida.
Dementia is a generic term referring to a decline in mental ability that’s significant enough to impact your daily life.
There are two categories of dementia:
Progressive types of dementia worsen over time:
Dementia caused by the following can be treated:
Dementia isn’t just one disease; it’s a group of symptoms arising from various causes. One or more of these symptoms may occur in patients with dementia:
Cognitive changes:
Psychological and behavioral symptoms:
Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia, accounting for about 60-80% of all cases. The experts believe it’s caused by deposits of two substances in the brain:
As plaques and tangles slowly destroy nerve cells, Alzheimer’s symptoms advance through stages, progressively affecting memory, cognition, and thinking. As the disease worsens, patients have a hard time communicating and their personalities and behavior changes. When it reaches a severe stage, patients lose the ability to walk, sit, and eat.
Dr. Borra performs an extensive evaluation to assess the type and underlying cause of dementia. You or your loved one may undergo a neurological exam, a test of mental status, and memory tests. Blood tests and other diagnostic imaging tests are ordered as needed.
Treatment for dementia often requires a multimodal approach that includes lifestyle and environmental changes to help support your memory, as well as medication. Several types of medications are available that improve memory by regulating or boosting levels of brain chemicals.
Medications called cholinesterase inhibitors are FDA-approved for reducing symptoms of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Another medication, memantine, may treat symptoms in patients with moderate-to-severe Alzheimer’s.
If you have any questions about memory loss, call Dr. Borra or book an appointment online.
