If you or a loved one becomes forgetful, it could be a sign of dementia. At American Psychiatric Care in Bel Air, Silver Spring, and Perry Hall, Maryland, their team offers in-person and telehealth appointments to diagnose and help you better manage dementia to have the best quality of life possible. If you suspect you or a loved one has dementia, call the office to schedule an appointment or book one online today.
Dementia is a cognitive disorder that causes impairments in memory, social abilities, and thinking. It can negatively interfere with everyday tasks and often gets progressively worse over time. Treatment at American Psychiatric Care minimizes or reduces symptoms of dementia.
Common signs and symptoms of dementia include:
Complications that can occur because of dementia include subpar nutrition, illnesses, poor personal hygiene, and safety challenges.
Dementia can happen to anyone, but some factors increase your risk of having it. Examples include:
Ways to reduce your risk of developing dementia include staying physically active, keeping your mind engaged through reading or other activities, and staying socially active. Eat healthy foods, take multivitamin supplements, don’t smoke, lose weight if you’re overweight, and don’t drink excessive amounts of alcohol.
Get plenty of sleep and manage high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, or other chronic conditions.
Your American Psychiatric Care provider can diagnose dementia (or its underlying cause) by asking you or a loved one a series of questions, reviewing your medical history and symptoms, and completing a physical exam.
They complete cognitive, neuropsychological, and neurological evaluations, and sometimes brain scans (e.g., PET scans, CT scans, or MRIs), as well as blood tests, spinal fluid tests, and psychiatric evaluations.
Common causes or types of dementia your provider may diagnose include Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease dementia, traumatic brain injury, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, mixed dementia, or others.
Your provider may recommend multiple treatments for dementia to reduce symptoms and the risk of disease progression. Examples include:
Adopting healthy lifestyle habits, such as nutritious eating, regular exercise, and getting plenty of sleep, can minimize dementia symptoms. Set a regular routine, participate in brain-enhancing and social activities, and take a multivitamin supplement if your doctor recommends it.
Taking prescription medications can delay the progression of dementia or reduce its symptoms.
Some types of therapies can reduce dementia and delay its progression. Examples include occupational therapy, reducing noise and clutter, and simplifying tasks.
If you have a chronic disease, your primary care doctor helps you manage it to reduce the risk of cognitive problems.
If you experience depression, anxiety, or another mental health disorder because of having dementia, the American Psychiatric Care team offers psychotherapy to help you better cope with your condition.
Your specialist follows up with you or a loved one periodically to ensure your treatment works as designed. They can make changes to your regimen as needed.
If you or a loved one experiences symptoms of dementia, visit American Psychiatric Care for an evaluation as soon as possible. Call the office or request an appointment online today. Telehealth appointments are also available.