"Dementia: Advantages of Seeking an Early Diagnosis".
October 16, 2011
"The early symptoms of dementia are very similar to what most people
consider a normal part of "aging." These include symptoms like memory
loss, confusion, disorientation, inability to do normal activities, withdrawal,
agitation, and frustration. Many patients who face such problems do not consult
a doctor, thinking, "This must be normal at my age. I'll look foolish if I
go to a doctor with these problems."
On the other hand, when people who know about dementia experience such
symptoms, they suspect (or fear) that they have dementia. However, they
hesitate to consult a doctor because of the stigma of being diagnosed with
dementia. In some cultures people may associate "dementia" with
strange behavior, helplessness, and negativity, and they don't want to be
labeled as dementia patients. In other cultures, where dementia awareness is
poor, there is a stigma about a dementia diagnosis because people associate dementia
with insanity. People also hesitate to get a diagnosis because they have heard
that dementia is incurable, so they see no point in "wasting" time
and money by going to a doctor.
There are, however, several advantages of consulting a doctor for investigations
and diagnosis as soon as the symptoms are noticed. These advantages are
described below:
Not all memory loss is dementia,
Sometimes,
depression is mistaken for dementia,
Dementia symptoms
are also caused by treatable problems like deficiency of Vitamin B12,
hypothyroidism, etc.,
Knowing that we have mild cognitive impairment affects our life choices,
Early diagnosis
means treatment can begin earlier, and years of suffering may reduce,
An early diagnosis allows more time for the patient to plan for dementia,
An early diagnosis allows more time for the patient to plan for dementia,
An early diagnosis gives family and friends more time to plan care,
Late diagnosis
means more suffering for the patient and family."
..........
"In
conclusion, a person who
experiences symptoms of memory loss or functioning that hampers normal life
should consult a medical professional to determine the cause and severity. Also,
alert family members should ensure that a check-up is done. Perhaps the
symptoms are caused by a problem that can be treated. Perhaps the symptoms are
not dementia. And even if the symptoms are caused by an irreversible dementia,
an early diagnosis allows starting treatment to alleviate the symptoms, and
also allows the patient and the family more time to plan for the future.
Swapna Kishore is a
resource person for dementia caregivers, and is involved in spreading dementia
awareness in India. She is also a caregiver for her mother, who suffers from
dementia. Swapna has created a website to support family members caring for
dementia patients in India. She also blogs about her experiences as a caregiver
and volunteer. Visit her website,Dementia Care Notes, and her blog at Swapna writes...about dementia
care.”
READ FULL ARTICLE AT :
Kishore, Swapna "Dementia: Advantages of Seeking an Early Diagnosis." Dementia: Advantages of Seeking an Early Diagnosis. 8 Nov. 2011 EzineArticles.com. 11 Nov. 2011 <http://ezinearticles.com/?Dementia%3A-Advantages-of-Seeking-an-Early-Diagnosis&id=6674993>.
1 comment:
This article is very helpful information about Alzheimer's and related dementia, and resources for people with Alzheimer's as well as their caregivers and loved ones.
Dementia specialist
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