What should you know about diagnosis and treatment methods?
Based on the symptoms, doctors almost always suspect dementia, although there is no specific method for diagnosing vascular dementia. If the medical history does not reveal a problem with the heart and blood vessels, laboratory and instrumental studies are prescribed.
For example, the doctor will require blood sugar and cholesterol tests, check whether the blood pressure is normal or not.
It is quite expected that the cause of memory loss is a lack of vitamins in the body or a problem with the thyroid gland, therefore, in order to diagnose or exclude these pathologies, an appropriate analysis is prescribed.
It is necessary to determine the neurological status and test the following functions:
- reflex
- muscle tone and strength;
- balance and coordination;
- sensitivity to touch;
- vision
Whether the patient has the ability and how adequately to get up from the chair and walk around the room.
Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography are also provided for diagnosis.
Another method of diagnosis is a neurological test, which will evaluate several skills, namely:
- how does he speak, write, is he able to work with numbers;
- can learn and remember new information;
- drawing up a plan and solving the issue;
- adequate reaction to the given situation.
In a large percentage of clinical cases, the goal of treatment is to manage the pathologies causing/contributing to vascular dementia and to improve the patient's general state of health and quality of life.
Depending on the symptoms, appropriate medical therapy is prescribed.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vascular-dementia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20378798
