Alzheimer's disease

Diagnosing dementia

Memory loss is probably one of the most common indicators that you may be suffering from dementia however, as simply being tired can have the same effect, there is much more that must be taken into consideration.

Dementia is difficult for professionals to diagnose, so trying to work out yourself if you are suffering or not, is not recommended.  Any issues, such as memory loss, difficulty in understanding written articles or follow conversations, you may be experiencing, should be discussed with your doctor.

The following check list, taken from Alzheimer’s Australia, is a useful tool for highlighting if you are suffering the key indicators of dementia.  However, this should only be used to highlight your concerns to your own doctor and not for self-diagnosis.

Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. This incurable, degenerative, and terminal disease is most commonly diagnosed in people over the age of 65, although, early-onset Alzheimer’s disease can occur much earlier in life.

The most commonly recognised symptom in the early stages is memory loss. As the disease advances, symptoms include irritability, confusion, language breakdown, mood swings and long-term memory loss.

While many measures have been suggested for prevention of this disease, their value in unproven in slowing the course of this disease. A balanced diet, constant exercise and mental stimulation are often recommended as possible preventions.

Find out more by visiting the Alzheimer’s Association website.