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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
Call
- Numbness, weakness, or inability to move the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
- Vision problems in one or both eyes, such as dimness, blurring, double vision, loss of vision, or a sensation that a shade is being pulled down over your eyes.
- Confusion; trouble speaking or understanding.
- Trouble walking; dizziness; loss of balance or coordination.
- Severe headache with no known cause.
Call a doctor immediately if a person suddenly becomes confused, emotionally upset, or doesn't seem to know who or where he or she is. These are signs of delirium, which can be caused by a reaction to medications or a new or worsening medical condition.
Call a doctor if you or a person you are close to has new and troubling memory loss that is more than an occasional bout of forgetfulness. This may be an early sign of dementia.
Watchful Waiting
Occasional forgetfulness or memory loss can be a normal part of aging. But any new or increasing memory loss or problems with daily living should be reported to a doctor. Learn the warning signs of dementia, and talk to a doctor if you or a family member shows any of these signs. They include increased trouble finding the right words when speaking, getting lost going to familiar places, and acting more irritable or suspicious than usual.
Who To See
The following health professionals can evaluate symptoms of memory loss or confusion:
- Family medicine physician
- Internist
- Geriatrician
- Neurologist
- Psychiatrist
- Physician assistant
- Nurse practitioner
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.
| 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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