Dementia

If you or a loved one becomes forgetful or confused, turn to Humanitas Primary Care, Esteban Hennings, MD, in Las Vegas, Nevada. As a highly trained primary care physician who specializes in geriatrics, Dr. Hennings provides comprehensive care for people with dementia. Schedule a dementia evaluation by phone or request one online today.

What is dementia?

Dementia describes symptoms that affect your cognitive abilities, social skills, memory, and overall quality of life. Dementia symptoms often interfere with simple activities of daily living and can progressively become worse over time if not addressed. Dr. Hennings specializes in all aspects of geriatric care, including dementia treatments.  

What are the symptoms of dementia?

Dementia can cause the following symptoms:

• Memory problems
• Reduced social and thinking abilities
• Poor quality of life
• Forgetting people, places, or things
• Challenges communicating
• Getting lost while driving
• Difficulty with problem-solving
• Trouble completing complex tasks
• Poor organization and planning skills
• Disorientation
• Confusion
• Poor coordination
• Inappropriate behavior 

Dementia can also affect your mental health, increasing your risk of depression, anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, and agitation. 

Dementia may eventually cause poor nutrition, personal safety challenges, and an inability to perform many self-care tasks.

What may increase my risk of dementia?

While anyone can experience dementia, common risk factors include:

• Head injuries
• Nerve cell damage
• Some medications
• Aging
• Family history of dementia 
• Nutrient deficiencies
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Huntington’s disease
• Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Infections
• Immune disorders
• Fluid buildup in the brain
• Tumors
• Down syndrome 

Sometimes, dementia-like symptoms are reversible with the right treatment. Other times, treatment simply reduces bothersome symptoms and your risk of severe disease progression. 

Though you can’t always avoid dementia, especially if you’re genetically prone to developing it, adopting healthy lifestyle habits may reduce your risk. Keep your mind active, be socially and physically active, avoid smoking, and get plenty of essential vitamins and minerals. Eat nutritious foods, ensure plenty of high-quality sleep, and properly manage medical issues.

How is dementia diagnosed?

Diagnosing dementia and its cause involves a review of your symptoms and medical history, a discussion of your medications, and a medical exam. Your provider might complete cognitive tests, a neurological evaluation, lab tests, brain scans, and a psychiatric evaluation. 

How is dementia treated?

In addition to adopting healthy habits to better manage dementia, you might try dietary supplements, take medications, or undergo occupational or other therapies. 

Dr. Hennings helps you and your family better manage your condition and reduce the risk of disease progression. He offers outside resources that help patients with dementia experience a fulfilling, safe, and healthy life.

The Humanitas Primary Care team follows up with you regularly to ensure your treatment plan is effective and alters it whenever needed.

Schedule a dementia evaluation at Humanitas Primary Care, Esteban Hennings, MD, by phone or request one online today.