Dementia: the diagnosis rings in your ears. The doctor emphasizes that all symptoms point to the disease. He’s surprisingly calm and explains that he’s ordering tests; he’s also sending your mother to a neurologist. However, he cautions you that anxiety may be premature at this point. After all, a cause for your mother’s condition has yet to be determined. Despite the grim diagnosis, the doctor maintains that some types of dementia are potentially reversible. You leave the clinic in a hopeful mood but realize you know little about the many types of dementia in Morristown. In this article, we provide the information you’re looking for.
Things Your Doctor Will Check
First, your doctor will want to determine whether your mother’s dementia symptoms are caused by the following:
- Depression
- Use of certain medications
- Prolonged use of alcohol
- Thyroid disorders
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Brain tumors
He will order blood tests and from the results, will determine the appropriate course of treatment for your parent.
What Are the Many Types of Dementia In Morristown?
Many people undoubtedly think of Alzheimer’s when dementia is mentioned. Alzheimer’s is certainly the most common type; however, there are other types of dementia, as well:
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease – Occurs when abnormal prion proteins destroy brain cells. The decline is rapid in this scenario, for this is an undeniably fatal disease.
- Lewy Body Dementia – Caused by abnormal deposits of the alpha-synuclein protein, which gradually destroys brain cells. Lewy Body Dementia is the third most common cause of dementia, after Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia.
- Alzheimer’s Disease – Caused by plaque build up between nerve cells.
- Frontotemporal Dementia – Caused by progressive nerve cell loss in the frontal or temporal lobes.
- Huntington’s Disease – A progressive brain disorder caused by a defective gene on chromosome 4.
- Mixed Dementia – Occurs when symptoms of more than one type of dementia occur simultaneously.
- Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus – Occurs when excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain’s ventricles.
- Posterior Cortical Atrophy – Results from the progressive deterioration of the posterior cortex.
- Parkinson’s Disease Dementia – Caused by symptoms that accompany Parkinson’s Disease.
- Vascular Dementia – Occurs when strokes result in the reduced flow of blood to the brain.
- Korsakoff Syndrome – A memory disorder caused by severe vitamin B-1 deficiency.
Regardless of the form of dementia, many of the general rules of care still apply.
David York Agency Can Help With Your Parent’s Care
Depending on your parent’s type and stage of dementia, you may need assistive care at some point.
David York understands the challenges of caregiving and is willing to provide all the support you need.
If you need more information about David York Agency’s qualified, compassionate caregivers, contact us at 908.373.5300. A free phone consultation can help you decide what services might be best. If you’d like to hear more from us, please like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter, Google+, or LinkedIn.
David York Agency Home Healthcare is committed to providing personalized care for your loved one. If you have questions about our services, please contact us.
We’re here to help you through the difficult times and give you the break that you deserve!
