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Dementia
- Topic Overview
-
Health Tools
- Cause
- Symptoms
- What Happens
- What Increases Your Risk
- When To Call a Doctor
- Exams and Tests
- Treatment Overview
- Prevention
- Home Treatment
- Medications
- Surgery
- Other Treatment
- Other Places To Get Help
- Related Information
- References
- Credits
Symptoms of
dementia vary depending on the cause and the
area of the brain 
that is affected. Memory loss is usually the earliest and most
noticeable symptom. Other key symptoms of dementia include:
- Having difficulty recalling recent events.
- Not recognizing familiar people and places.
- Having trouble finding the right words to express thoughts or name objects.
- Having difficulty performing calculations.
- Having problems planning and carrying out tasks, such as balancing a checkbook, following a recipe, or writing a letter.
- Having trouble exercising judgment, such as knowing what to do in an emergency.
- Having difficulty controlling moods or behaviors. Depression is common, and agitation or aggression may occur.
- Not keeping up personal care such as grooming or bathing.
Some types of dementia cause key symptoms:
- People who have dementia with Lewy bodies often have highly detailed visual hallucinations. They may fall frequently.
- The first symptoms of frontotemporal dementia may be personality changes or unusual behavior. People with this condition may not express any caring for others, or they may say rude things, expose themselves, or make sexually explicit comments.
Symptoms of dementia that come on suddenly suggest vascular dementia or possibly delirium—short-term confusion caused by a new or worsening illness.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: June 17, 2009 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Peter J. Whitehouse, MD - Neurology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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