Dementia Health Center

Doctors can often diagnose dementia by conducting a physical exam and a set of other tests. These tests could include merely asking a set of questions about the patients medical history and checking basic mental functions. Doctors diagnose dementia only if two or more brain functions - such as memory and language skills -- are significantly impaired without loss of consciousness.

People with dementia have significantly impaired intellectual functioning that interferes with normal activities and relationships. They also lose their ability to solve problems and maintain emotional control, and they may experience personality changes and behavioral problems, such as agitation, delusions, and hallucinations. While memory loss is a common symptom of dementia, memory loss by itself does not mean that a person has dementia.

Doctors can also perform various tests and procedures in order to diagnose an individual with dementia.  

Reviewed by: 
Review Date: 
March 13, 2012
Last Updated:
June 28, 2013
Source:
dailyrx.com