a tooth[인터뷰] Dr Huh Wook, neurologist
a toothThe dementia population continues to increase in an aging society
a toothDementia, which cannot yet be cured, early diagnosis and treatment is important
According to statistics recently released by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), as the elderly population increases and the average life expectancy increases due to aging, the incidence of dementia in Korea reached 19.7%, the highest in East Asia (Japan 13.1%, China 14.6%). Dementia is a representative geriatric neurological disease, and its prevalence is increasing rapidly, mainly among the elderly aged 65 years or older.
In the early stages of dementia, symptoms such as memory and functional decline are weak, so in many cases the disease itself is not recognized. However, when the disease begins to develop, brain function rapidly declines, and symptoms that cause difficulties in everyday life, such as memory loss, problems using language, functional problems, and personality changes, are begin to appear. Therefore, in order to live happily in old age, early functional tests such as memory checks are important. The neurology specialist Dr. Heo Wook (Heo Wook Neurology Clinic) explains in detail the early symptoms of dementia and dementia diagnosis tests.
Director Huh Wook｜Source: Huh Wook Neurology Clinic
Q. What tests are used to diagnose dementia?
Memory loss is one of the most common early symptoms of dementia. In the early stages of dementia, memory loss for recent events appears first, and the more the memory decline worsens, the more important things start to be forgotten. If your family or friends show these symptoms of memory loss, it is recommended that you visit a nearby hospital and get tested. In particular, if you do not remember the past at all and cannot recall your memory with a gentle suggestion, you must seek medical attention because the possibility of dementia is high.
An inability to perceive time and place accurately is one of the early symptoms of dementia. Dementia patients cannot correctly answer what year, month, day, or day it is today, or where they are now. Moreover, there are times when you cannot find your way in a place where you have lived for a long time.
Changes in the patient’s personality should also be carefully observed. Caring for others and continuing to feel tired in angry situations are also brain functions, as dementia can adversely affect parts of the brain that control personality. If a person with an active personality suddenly loses interest in their surroundings and looks atrophied, or on the contrary, if a person who was scared behaves violently, such as swearing at the people around them, it should be suspected dementia.
Dementia patients often have trouble remembering dates｜Source: Getty Image Bank
Q. What types of tests are included in a dementia diagnosis?
Brain health and dementia can be checked by △cognitive function tests △brain imaging tests (MRI, CT, etc.) △blood tests △genetic tests, such as simple mental diagnostic tests or neuropsychological tests.
Cognitive function tests are performed by combining different tests that measure attention, language function, memory, visual-spatial ability, calculation ability, and performance ability. As most elderly people over the age of 65 suffer some degree of cognitive decline, this is a test that takes this into account and detects whether the patient’s brain function is particularly degraded compared to their peers.
Brain imaging tests help distinguish between memory loss, mainly due to Alzheimer’s disease, and disorders with dementia-like symptoms, such as stroke and hydrocephalus. If the test results do not indicate dementia, imaging tests are essential so that appropriate treatment methods can be found. A blood test is a test to find out if there are any physical abnormalities that can affect memory, such as △low blood sugar △ lower thyroid function △ electrolyte abnormalities △ liver function abnormalities and whether the physical abnormalities found can be treated.
Finally, genetic testing can confirm the inheritance of dementia, such as family history. Based on this, it is comprehensively determined whether the patient is in a state that can be diagnosed with dementia or is a patient with a high possibility of being diagnosed with dementia after a little more time.
Q. Can dementia be cured?
To date, there is no way to completely cure dementia, and it is unfortunate that current drug treatments only slow the progression of dementia. Therefore, early treatment is the key to dementia treatment, and through this, the development of dementia can be delayed as much as possible.
As dementia has different symptoms for each patient, a tailored treatment is required. In addition, it is necessary to consult an expert who can understand the guardian’s difficulties and actively deal with them. If you have symptoms of dementia, early diagnosis is recommended as early diagnosis can reduce suffering for patients and their families.
