Dementia

**Dementia**  Dementia is a loss or changes in normal brain function.

Symptoms of dementia include changes in sleeping patterns, loss of the proper use of language, incontinence, forgetfulness, disorientation, trouble learning, motor skills impairment, changes in personality, and being unable to concentrate.



There is no real cure for dementia, but the symptoms can be controlled using drugs such as antocholinergics, cimetidine, lidocaine, pain killers, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers. These treatments come with risks if stopped or changed, such as confusion, depression, infections, thyroid problems, and heart failure.

There are two types of dementia, one is curable, and one is not. Non-curable dementia is mostly caused by Alzheimer's disease, or the loss of brain function thanks to many small strokes. The curable kind can be caused by brain tumors, infections, thyroid problems, a low vitamin B12 level, among many other possible causes.

Dementia can be diagnosed using glucose tests, liver function tests, urinalysis, an MRI, checking the vitamin B12 level, thyroid function tests, or a toxicology screen.

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