Dementia Explained by a Neurologist: Early Signs, Stages and Prevention
From Talking With Docs.
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Worried about dementia, for yourself or someone you love? Forgetting your keys now and then is common, and on its own it usually isn't dementia. Knowing the difference, and knowing what you can do about it, matters more than ever as people live longer.
In this episode of Talking With Docs, Dr. Brad Weening and Dr. Paul Zalzal are joined again by neurologist Dr. Parnam Izadpanah to talk about dementia from start to finish: what it actually is, how it differs from normal forgetfulness, how it's diagnosed, the stages, what treatment can and can't do, and what you can start doing today to lower your risk.
Dementia isn't one disease. It's an umbrella term for a gradual, progressive decline in thinking that affects daily function and is a real change from how someone used to be. Alzheimer's disease is the most common type, followed by vascular dementia, and the two often occur together. In Canada, about 600,000 people were living with dementia in 2020, and that number is projected to reach more than 1.7 million by 2050.
Want the study on midlife risk factors and dementia-free years? Watch our episode on it: https://youtu.be/6QQoYk1YcNY
You'll learn:
What dementia actually is, and why it's not just memory loss
Why it has to be progressive, a change from baseline, and affect daily function
The difference between normal forgetfulness, distraction and dementia
The most common types: Alzheimer's, vascular, mixed, Lewy body and frontotemporal
What your family doctor checks first, including medications, blood pressure, B12 and blood work
Which medications can mimic dementia, such as bladder drugs, sleeping pills and narcotics
How the MoCA and Mini-Mental screening tests work, and what a "normal" MoCA score is
Why there's no single test for dementia, and how MRI, PET scans and spinal fluid tests fit in
The stages: preclinical, mild cognitive impairment, then mild, moderate and severe dementia
How fast dementia usually progresses, and what can make it move faster
What current dementia medications do, and what they don't
Why controlling blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol and smoking matters for your brain
Why alcohol should be minimized, potentially to zero, once memory problems start
Why hearing aids, glasses and staying social are so important
The top five things you can do to lower your risk of dementia
Whether dementia runs in families, and when genetic testing makes sense
One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is timing. The changes in the brain that lead to dementia can be going on for decades before symptoms show up. That's why Dr. Izadpanah says the day to start is today, whether you're in your 30s or your 70s. Up to 45% of dementia cases could potentially be prevented or delayed by addressing modifiable risk factors.
Her top five: don't smoke, exercise, eat well, take sleep seriously, and keep your brain engaged. Like a muscle, the brain grows when it's challenged. Pick up a new hobby, take a different route, and share meals with other people. Isolation is one of the worst things for the brain.
Has dementia touched your family? What helped you most? Share your story in the comments.
📝 The Screening Tests From This Episode:
Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE):
https://meded.temertymedicine.utoronto.ca/sites/default/files/assets/resource/document/mini-mental-state-examinationmmse.pdf
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA):
https://championsforhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/MOCA-8.1.8.2-English.pdf
These are screening tools, not a diagnosis. Talk to your doctor about any concerns.
🎧 Listen on Your Favourite Platforms:
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3OFxEjictC41CCS1z2AVKe
Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/talking-with-docs-podcast/id1799242189
YouTube Music:
- TWD Podcast
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🛑 DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Dementia and cognitive changes affect people differently, and decisions about testing, diagnosis, medications, genetic testing and lifestyle changes should be individualized based on your health history and circumstances. Always follow the guidance provided by your physician, pharmacist, and healthcare team. Full disclaimer at talkingwithdocs.com.
#Dementia #DementiaPrevention #Alzheimers #AlzheimersDisease #BrainHealth #MemoryLoss #CognitiveDecline #EarlySignsOfDementia #VascularDementia #DementiaAwareness #Neurology #HealthyAging #Caregiving #TalkingWithDocs #DoctorExplains
Worried about dementia, for yourself or someone you love? Forgetting your keys now and then is common, and on its own it usually isn't dementia. Knowing the difference, and knowing what you can do about it, matters more than ever as people live longer.
In this episode of Talking With Docs, Dr. Brad Weening and Dr. Paul Zalzal are joined again by neurologist Dr. Parnam Izadpanah to talk about dementia from start to finish: what it actually is, how it differs from normal forgetfulness, how it's diagnosed, the stages, what treatment can and can't do, and what you can start doing today to lower your risk.
Dementia isn't one disease. It's an umbrella term for a gradual, progressive decline in thinking that affects daily function and is a real change from how someone used to be. Alzheimer's disease is the most common type, followed by vascular dementia, and the two often occur together. In Canada, about 600,000 people were living with dementia in 2020, and that number is projected to reach more than 1.7 million by 2050.
Want the study on midlife risk factors and dementia-free years? Watch our episode on it: https://youtu.be/6QQoYk1YcNY
You'll learn:
What dementia actually is, and why it's not just memory loss
Why it has to be progressive, a change from baseline, and affect daily function
The difference between normal forgetfulness, distraction and dementia
The most common types: Alzheimer's, vascular, mixed, Lewy body and frontotemporal
What your family doctor checks first, including medications, blood pressure, B12 and blood work
Which medications can mimic dementia, such as bladder drugs, sleeping pills and narcotics
How the MoCA and Mini-Mental screening tests work, and what a "normal" MoCA score is
Why there's no single test for dementia, and how MRI, PET scans and spinal fluid tests fit in
The stages: preclinical, mild cognitive impairment, then mild, moderate and severe dementia
How fast dementia usually progresses, and what can make it move faster
What current dementia medications do, and what they don't
Why controlling blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol and smoking matters for your brain
Why alcohol should be minimized, potentially to zero, once memory problems start
Why hearing aids, glasses and staying social are so important
The top five things you can do to lower your risk of dementia
Whether dementia runs in families, and when genetic testing makes sense
One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is timing. The changes in the brain that lead to dementia can be going on for decades before symptoms show up. That's why Dr. Izadpanah says the day to start is today, whether you're in your 30s or your 70s. Up to 45% of dementia cases could potentially be prevented or delayed by addressing modifiable risk factors.
Her top five: don't smoke, exercise, eat well, take sleep seriously, and keep your brain engaged. Like a muscle, the brain grows when it's challenged. Pick up a new hobby, take a different route, and share meals with other people. Isolation is one of the worst things for the brain.
Has dementia touched your family? What helped you most? Share your story in the comments.
📝 The Screening Tests From This Episode:
Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE):
https://meded.temertymedicine.utoronto.ca/sites/default/files/assets/resource/document/mini-mental-state-examinationmmse.pdf
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA):
https://championsforhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/MOCA-8.1.8.2-English.pdf
These are screening tools, not a diagnosis. Talk to your doctor about any concerns.
🎧 Listen on Your Favourite Platforms:
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3OFxEjictC41CCS1z2AVKe
Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/talking-with-docs-podcast/id1799242189
YouTube Music:
- TWD Podcast
👕 Shop Our MERCH:
https://www.spreadshirt.ca/shop/user/talking+with+docs
❤️ Support Oakville Hospital:
https://oakvillehospitalfoundation.com/
📱 Follow Us:
TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@talkingwithdocs
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/talkingwithdocs/?hl=en
🛑 DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Dementia and cognitive changes affect people differently, and decisions about testing, diagnosis, medications, genetic testing and lifestyle changes should be individualized based on your health history and circumstances. Always follow the guidance provided by your physician, pharmacist, and healthcare team. Full disclaimer at talkingwithdocs.com.
#Dementia #DementiaPrevention #Alzheimers #AlzheimersDisease #BrainHealth #MemoryLoss #CognitiveDecline #EarlySignsOfDementia #VascularDementia #DementiaAwareness #Neurology #HealthyAging #Caregiving #TalkingWithDocs #DoctorExplains
