Q: I keep forgetting things – do I need to go for a diagnosis?
A: There are lots of reasons why people are sometimes forgetful – and dementia isn’t always the cause. These include:
Anxiety
Depression
Stress
Infections
Thyroid issues
Vitamin deficiencies
Circulatory problems
Sleep apnoea
Side-effects of medication
It’s important that you go and see your doctor if you’re experiencing memory issues so you can be assessed and any underlying issues addressed. If your GP suspects you do have dementia, it’s likely that you’ll be referred to a specialist for more extensive tests.
Q: I’m scared about going for a diagnosis because I don’t know much about it – what is dementia?
A: Dementia isn’t one single disease or illness – it’s the name given to a number of conditions that affect the brain and how it works and leads to symptoms that affect memory, speech and understanding, and get worse over time.
The different types of dementia include:
Alzheimer’s disease
Lewy body dementia (LBD)
Vascular dementia
Frontotemporal dementia
Mixed dementia
According to Dementia UK there are over 200 subtypes of dementia. There is currently no cure, but medical advances are being made and for some people medication can help to slow the progress of the disease, especially if diagnosed in the early stages.
Q: What kind of tests are involved in a dementia diagnosis?
A: The process for diagnosing dementia starts with a GP assessment. This might involve a physical check-up to help rule out other causes of your symptoms plus memory tests. Your GP is likely to send you for a blood test too.
You can read more about happens at this initial assessment here <Link to James what is a diagnosis >
If you’re referred to a specialist memory clinic you’ll have more extensive tests. You might also have a brain scan such as an MRI or CT and sometimes a chest X-ray is carried out to rule out other conditions.
Q: How long does a diagnosis take?
A: For some people a dementia diagnosis is straightforward and can take a few weeks. For others, it can take months: in some cases a year. Much depends on where you live. You can read more about the process here
Do you have any more questions about going for a dementia diagnosis? You might find the answers on our conversation forum here