If you or a loved one struggle with forgetfulness or confusion in everyday situations, dementia could be the reason. At Neurology Center of Wichita Falls: Jessica L. Schultz, MD, in Wichita Falls, Texas, Jessica Schultz, MD; Kimberly Pollock, NP; and their exceptional staff diagnose and offer treatments for dementia. Call the office to schedule an appointment or book one online today.
What is dementia?
Dementia is a common condition, especially among older adults, that often causes memory impairment, thinking problems, and social disabilities that negatively affect quality of life. Finding the root cause of these symptoms and treating it can reduce your risk of further impairment. Sometimes symptoms of dementia are reversible.
Providers at Neurology Center of Wichita Falls: Jessica L. Schultz, MD, diagnose and offer family and patient support for all stages of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
What are the symptoms of dementia?
Potential symptoms of dementia include:
Memory loss
Difficulty communicating with others
Struggles with problem solving and reasoning
Poor planning and organization
Decreased motor functioning and coordination
Disorientation
Confusion
Personality changes
Irritability
Difficulty swallowing
Depression, anxiety, or other mental health struggles
Inappropriate behavior
Agitation
Hallucinations
Paranoia
When left untreated, dementia can sometimes result in poor nutrition, inability to care for yourself, and pneumonia. Safety challenges exist when people with dementia drive, cook, or live alone.
What are the risk factors for dementia?
The cause of dementia isn’t always clear, but it could result because of:
Alzheimer’s disease
Blood vessel damage
Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Huntington's disease
Parkinson’s disease
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Immune disorders
Infections
Nutritional deficiencies
Metabolic disorders
Endocrine abnormalities
Brain tumors
Brain hematoma
Older age
Family history of dementia
Down syndrome
Lack of exercise, poor dietary habits, excessive alcohol use, high blood pressure, and other disease risk factors appear to increase your chance of developing dementia. Having diabetes, smoking, depression, and being exposed to air pollution are also dementia risk factors.
Get plenty of sleep, take multivitamins if your provider recommends it, and keep your mind and body active to reduce your chance of having dementia.
How does my provider diagnose dementia?
To diagnose dementia, the team reviews your medical history and symptoms. They check your vital signs and completes a physical exam, including a neurological evaluation.
The team also uses specific diagnostic tests, including cognitive tests, neuropsychological tests, and psychiatric evaluations.
Neurology Center of Wichita Falls: Jessica L. Schultz, MD, offers PET scans, CT scans, MRIs, and other imaging procedures, as well as blood testing and nerve-function tests, to detect or rule out underlying causes of dementia.
How is dementia treated?
Your personalized dementia treatment depends on the type, cause, and severity of your condition. The team could recommend:
Medications
Dietary supplements
Diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes
Occupational therapy
Simplifying tasks
Modifying environments
The providers at Neurology Center of Wichita Falls: Jessica L. Schultz, MD, have you and your family members’ best interests at heart and offer support every step of the way.
If you or a family member struggles with dementia, schedule an appointment with Neurology Center of Wichita Falls: Jessica L. Schultz, MD, by phone or online today.