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As we get older, many of us notice our brain is not as agile and our memory not as sharp as it used to be. It is quite a common observation but it can make us wonder if these memory problems could be an early sign of dementia.
Here we look at what is known about dementia, symptoms that could suggest you should seek further advice, steps to reaching a diagnosis, and where you or your family can go for more specialist information about treatment and support.
Dementia is predominantly a condition that affects older people. But of the approximately 820,000 people in UK with dementia, there are around 15,000 people who are under 65.
If it is diagnosed early enough there are lots of things that can be done to help you overcome problems and improve the quality of your life.
Dementia is a progressive disorder that affects how your brain works and in particular the ability to remember, think and reason.
It is not a disease in itself - but a group of symptoms that may accompany conditions that affect your brain. The most common of these is Alzheimer’s disease. Another is vascular dementia which can develop following a stroke or if there is blood vessel damage that interrupts the supply blood to your brain. Dementia is not a normal consequence of growing old.
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The Health A-Z section of this website contains information on the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of many types of illnesses. It also includes video interviews with specialists and patients.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has produced guidance on the early assessment and treatment of NHS patients
The Alzheimer's Society works to improve the quality of life of people affected by dementia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
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