What Can Be Done to Slow Down Dementia?

Dementia, contrary to popular opinion, is not a normal part of the aging process. MedlinePlus defines dementia as "a group of symptoms caused by disorders that affect the brain." One such disorder is memory loss, but to qualify as dementia problems with at least two cognitive functions, such as language and memory, must be present. Dementia has no cure, but if its onset is diagnosed early, a number of steps can slow its progression.

Symptoms & Causes of Dementia

• Be aware of the various symptoms that in combination can constitute the beginnings of dementia so that you can get professional help early on. Besides memory loss and language difficulties, other symptoms of the dementia syndrome include difficulty performing everyday tasks, such as dressing yourself and eating; an inability to solve basic mental problems; hallucinations; agitation; frequent mental confusion; lack of emotional control; and change in personality. Dementia also can be triggered by brain damage caused by illnesses such as stroke and Alzheimer's disease.

Age-Related Memory Loss

• Don't make too much out of a growing tendency to forget things, particularly if that is the only symptom you are experiencing. It's a normal part of the aging process to become a bit forgetful. However, if the memory problems are accompanied by one or more of the other symptoms of dementia, seek professional advice promptly.

Medications

• If your doctor determines that you are suffering from dementia as a direct result of Alzheimer's disease, he can prescribe medications that will slow the progress of that disease along with the dementia that it causes. Drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease fall into the general category of cholinesterase inhibitors, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Specific drugs in this class include donepezil (Aricept), galantamine (Reminyl), rivastigmine (Exelon) and tacrine (Cognex).

Other Therapies

• There are nonpharmaceutical therapies to slow the progress of dementia. These focus on engaging the cognitive function of those who show signs of decline so that they can exercise their minds and keep those functions alive for as long as possible. Practicing tasks designed to bolster your memory or other cognitive functions can be helpful, as can the use of mnemonics or note-taking to buttress your own memory. Behavior modification may be a worthwhile course of action if you or a loved one is showing some of the socially undesirable symptoms of dementia.

Shedding Light on the Problem

• You might want to maximize your exposure to bright light. A Dutch study, published in the June 11, 2008, issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, indicated that bright light, together with regular doses of melatonin, was able to slow dementia's progress to some degree.