Dementia
Overview
Dementia is a term that describes a group of symptoms that affect your memory, your ability to think, and your ability to socialize, in a way that is severe enough to interfere with your daily life. Dementia is caused by many different things. The progression of many different types of dementia can be slowed through various types of therapy. A basic distinction is made between primary and secondary dementias. The risk of developing dementia increases as you age. Dementia though has other risk factors such as a family history, head trauma and excessive use of alcohol.
Diagnosis
If your medical team suspects dementia based on your symptomology, they will firstly rule out all treatable causes as quickly as possible.
Dementia progresses gradually and not all symptoms are perceived by those who are affected. In addition to memory problems, other symptoms can occur, such as disorientation, behavioral changes, irritability, and lack of interest. If you notice such signs in yourself or your relatives, you should consult your medical team. Our medical team uses various examinations, such as modern medical imaging techniques and blood tests, to distinguish different types of dementia from subjectively perceived age-related impairments, and to find the root cause of your symptoms.
There are many different types of dementia, including:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Vascular dementia
- Mixed dementia
- Lewy body or Lewy body dementia
- Frontotemporal Dementia
- Korsakoff Syndrome
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Treatment
Treatment for dementia varies greatly depending on the specific case, its primary cause, and symptoms, and how advanced the dementia is. Every step in the diagnostic procedure helps the GMI team tailor each treatment plan to each patient, taking into consideration your individual case and personal preferences. However, most dementias cannot be cured. They can be managed through medication and other treatments, which slow the deterioration and alleviate symptoms. The main goal of treatment is to help maintain everyday skills and offer each patient a high quality of life for as long as possible
Why GMI
At the GMI, a multidisciplinary team of renowned neurologists guides each patient through their entire journey, from their diagnostic work-up to their treatment and post-treatment care.
The GMI team will never offer a simple “one size fits all” approach to any patient. We believe each patient’s case is as individual as they are and strive to find the best solution for each of our patients, taking their specific case and diagnosis, their lifestyle, and choices into account.
We believe each of our patients is more than their diagnosis. That’s why our dedicated paramedics team supports patients with dementia by offering more than just expert medical care. We offer psychological help, integrative medical services (including yoga classes, and acupuncture), physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and rehabilitation services, and have a GMI Patient Advocacy Program.
Adhering to our passion for innovation, and desire to progress the medical field, the GMI Department of Neurology both initiates and participates in several clinical trials in which the most modern and advanced treatment concepts are tested.
