Dementia

Dementia causes frightening deteriorations in memory and other brain functions. If you or a family member develop dementia symptoms, visit Dr. Farhad Elyaderani  at his offices in New Rochelle, New York. Dr. Elyaderani is a highly-skilled, fellowship-trained neurologist with years of experience helping people lead better lives despite dementia. He is an advocate for utilizing dance and music for enhancing cognitive function. Call the office to learn more about the latest dementia treatments or arrange an evaluation using the online booking feature today.

What is dementia?

Dementia refers to brain disorders affecting your thinking, reasoning, and memory. You gradually lose your visual perception, language skills, and ability to manage your emotions.

Around 50% of people aged 85 and older receive a dementia diagnosis, with Alzheimer’s disease being the cause in up to 80% of cases. Although dementia is common, it’s not a normal part of aging.

What symptoms does dementia cause?

Common dementia symptoms include:

• Memory loss
• Comprehension difficulties
• Reduced vocabulary
• Mood and personality changes
• Flawed reasoning
• Disorientation
• Problems balancing
• Declining self-care
• Changes in appetite/eating habits
• Declining social skills
• Sleeping difficulties

Dementia most often causes gradual deterioration, but symptoms may be sudden and fixed after severe head trauma.

Many people worry that they’re developing dementia because their memory worsens with age. However, becoming forgetful doesn’t necessarily indicate you have dementia. People with dementia forget basic information like the year, where they live, and who’s currently president. They also tend to be unaware of their memory failings.

How is dementia diagnosed?

Dr. Elyaderani can often diagnose dementia after reviewing a patient’s medical history and completing a physical exam. He also asks about thinking difficulties, problems with day-to-day function, and behavioral changes.

Sometimes, patients require lab tests, an MRI scan, and/or neuropsychological testing.

It’s not always possible to positively identify dementia’s root cause. However, Dr. Elyaderani uses his expertise to diagnose dementia with optimal accuracy.

Why would I get dementia?

Dementia has various causes. Reversible ones include:

• Vitamin deficiencies
• Hormonal imbalances
• Infections
• Brain tumors
• Subdural hematomas (blood clots beneath the brain’s outer covering)
• Normal-pressure hydrocephalus (fluid buildup in the brain)

Catching these conditions early enough and starting treatment could ensure a full recovery. However, Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body dementia, and vascular dementia (dementia caused by strokes or cerebrovascular disease) are incurable.  

What treatments are available for dementia?

Dr. Elyaderani can often cure reversible dementia; for example, he can treat an infection with antibiotics or ensure you receive essential micronutrients through an improved diet and supplements.

He also offers medications that reduce irreversible dementia’s impact. Cholinesterase inhibitor medications help patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, while N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists treat patients with moderate to severe symptoms. Furthermore, he encourages patient to engage in social activities such as dancing ;  listen to music ; body fitness  and  excercise. 

Treating high blood pressure and reducing cholesterol can help with vascular dementia.

Call Dr. Farhad Elyaderani if you’re worried about dementia symptoms in yourself or a family member. You can also book an appointment online at any time.