It is predicted that about 5.8 million people in the United States have Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. About 5.6 million of them are aged 65 and older, whereas only about 200,000 are under the age of 65 or less with younger onset dementia.
These statistics are quite alarming and depict how dementia has become one of the leading diseases in the U.S with no specific treatment or prevention procedures. If you or any of your loved ones exhibit symptoms of dementia, it is imperative that you consult a medical professional immediately. Research shows that getting an early diagnosis plays a significant role in curbing the diseases and preventing the worsening of symptoms. This article delves into what you need to know about dementia and how booking an online appointment can help you in dealing with this ailment. Let's get started.
What is Dementia?
Dementia is not a particular disease but is rather used as an umbrella term to describe a number of symptoms that alter thinking, memory, cognition, and other social abilities and deteriorate a person’s daily life functioning.
Dementia entails damage to the nerve cells in the brain, and this can happen in various brain locations. It can affect different people differently as the symptoms depend upon the area of the brain involved but generally involves memory loss.
Alzheimer's disease is not the only ailment that causes memory loss, contrary to popular belief. There are several other kinds of dementia, such as vascular dementia, that may have different underlying causes.
What are the Risk Factors for Dementia?
There are a number of risk factors that may increase your chance of getting dementia. Some of them are controllable, whereas others are not. Some uncontrollable factors include:
- Mild cognitive impairment
- Family history of dementia
- Downs syndrome
- Age
The controllable factors include the following:
- Alcohol intake
- Smoking
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Sleep apnea
- Cardiovascular risk factors
What are the Signs and Symptoms?
The symptoms of dementia vary in different people and usually depend upon the cause. However, the most common and apparent signs include the following:
- Memory loss
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Hallucinations
- Weird or improper behavior
- Agitation
- Difficulty in communication
- Changes in personality
- Abrupt mood swings
- Difficulty in organizing and planning
- Retarded ability of reasoning and problem solving
- Disorientation
- Inability to handle complicated tasks
- Loss or retardation in motor function and coordination
- Confusion
If you or any of your loved ones exhibit any of the above-mentioned symptoms, getting them checked by a medical professional holds crucial importance. Dementia is not an easy disease to treat, majorly because a specific treatment is yet to be discovered. However, early diagnosis can play a significant role in managing the disease and preventing its progression.
Although unable to treat this condition completely, medical professionals chalk out treatment plans that target the symptoms instead of the cause of dementia. These medications or treatment processes help minimize the symptoms caused by dementia and prevent them from worsening or hampering an individual's daily life.
How to Book an Online Dementia Appointment?
Today's rapidly globalizing world has revolutionized the field of healthcare with several innovations. Patients with dementia today do not have to physically commute to healthcare organizations and stand in long lines to get their appointment booked. Several healthcare facilities offer the option of online appointment booking, which eliminates the cost of traveling, parking, and several other expenses off a patient’s pocket.
In addition, dementia patients do not have to suffer the inconvenience caused by commuting as they can avail the specially devised telemedicine services for dementia patients. If you are looking to make an online appointment with a dementia specialist, NeuroX is the right place for you.
American board-certified and specially trained professionals at NeuroX offer a seamless platform where patients can book an online appointment in just a few clicks. All you need to do is go to NeuroX and search for the “Book Appointment” option on the top of the screen. Pressing that would open a panel where you would need to enter your information: name, age, and medical condition. NeuroX offers its revered patients the option of choosing the medical professional, date, and time of their appointment. They have the option of selecting a physician by looking through their academic standing, experience, conditions treated, and specialization.
Furthermore, if you are concerned about your memory or that of your loved one, you can take a free memory cognition test to see if they're suffering any warning signs of dementia.
Head over to NeuroX right now to book your slot in just a few easy steps and attain the highest quality psychological and neurological care right at your doorstep at the most affordable prices!
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