What Is Dementia?

Dementia is a broad way to describe a whole host of more specific cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer’s Disease or the various neurological issues that can arise following a cardiovascular stroke incident. It can also refer to an overall general decline in mental acuity and abilities. Dementia doesn’t have to come from a specific trauma incident or a diagnosed disease pathology.

There is a difference between dementia and what some laypersons will call senility. Not everyone will face a reduction in their ability to think and remember things as they enter their elderly years. Simply getting older and having a tougher time keeping track of memories, or learned abilities, isn’t inevitable.

Doctors look at a number of factors when considering a diagnosis of dementia, which will usually prompt a deeper investigation to see if there is a specific cause for these symptoms. Some of them include memory function, the ability to use language correctly, whether or not the patient can maintain clear attention and focus, how well they can exercise judgement and reason, and their visual acuity. Typically, two or more of these symptoms will trigger a finding of dementia.

Unfortunately, dementia is usually a progressive condition that will worsen over time. Some causes of dementia are treatable, and in those cases the sooner treatment starts the better the prognosis.