Dementia: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Medical Writer: Janefrances Ugochi Ozoilo, MBBS, FMCPH, MSc (PH), PMP

Medical Reviewer: Azuka Chinweokwu Ezeike, MBBS, FWACS, FMCOG, MSc (PH)

Highlights

• Dementia is a brain condition that affects memory, thinking, behaviour, and daily activities.
• Causes of dementia include Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. 
• Early signs of dementia can include memory loss, confusion, trouble with familiar tasks, and changes in mood or personality.
• Dementia risk factors age, family history, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, hearing loss, head injuries, and social isolation.
• A dementia diagnosis involves memory and thinking tests, blood tests and brain scans. 
• Dementia treatment may include medicines, mental stimulation, exercise, home safety changes, and caregiver support.
• Knowing when to see a doctor for dementia symptoms can help families get answers early, plan care, and access the right support.

What Is Dementia?

“My father used to remember every family birthday and tell funny childhood stories perfectly. Then, he slowly started forgetting names, asking the same questions, and having trouble with simple tasks. Seeing these changes showed that dementia is much more than just getting older."

Dementia covers a range of conditions that damage the brain, leading to a slow loss of memory, thinking, behaviour, and daily activities. Many people think dementia only happens with old age, but it is not a normal part of getting older. It happens because of changes in the brain.

Millions worldwide live with dementia, and the number keeps growing. A dementia diagnosis can be very hard for families. But with the right help and care, people with dementia can still have meaningful lives, especially if it is found early [1,2].

If you are worried about yourself or someone you care about, this guide will help you feel informed and less alone.

What Causes Dementia?

Dementia happens when brain cells get damaged. This damage prevents brain cells from communicating with each other. When brain cells cannot communicate normally, it can change how we think, act, and feel.Different kinds of dementia are linked to different types of brain cell damage in various parts of the brain. The most common types and their causes include:

• Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. In this disease, proteins called plaques and tangles build up in the brain. This buildup harms and kills brain cells. The exact cause is not known, but age, genes, and lifestyle are factors.

• Vascular Dementia

This happens when the brain does not get enough blood. This can be due to a stroke or several small strokes, also known as "mini-strokes." Without enough blood, brain cells can be damaged or die, leading to problems with memory and thinking.

• Lewy Body Dementia

This type happens when unusual protein clumps, called Lewy bodies, form inside brain cells. It affects thinking, movement, behaviour, and mood. People with this type might also have hallucinations.

• Frontotemporal Dementia

This type of dementia mainly affects the front and side parts of the brain. These areas control personality, behaviour, and language. It often appears in people in their 40s or 50s, which is younger than when other types of dementia usually start.

• Other Causes

Some health problems can cause symptoms like dementia, but these might get better with quick treatment. These problems include thyroid issues, lack of vitamin B12, depression, brain tumours, and infections. This is why seeing a doctor is important when these symptoms show up [3].

Who Is at Risk of Dementia?

Anyone can get dementia, but some things make it more likely. Some of these things cannot be changed, but others can be controlled by how we live.

• Age

The risk of getting dementia increases after age 65 because the brain becomes weaker. However, dementia is not certain as people age. Many people stay mentally sharp because of their genes, lifestyle, and environment.

• Family History

Having a close relative with dementia can slightly increase your chances of developing the condition yourself, as some genetic and environmental factors may be shared within families.Some genes, like APOE-e4, are linked to a higher chance of getting Alzheimer’s Disease.

• High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, and High Cholesterol 

High blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol can reduce blood flow to the brain.

• Smoking and Heavy Alcohol Use

Smoking and drinking a lot of alcohol can harm the blood vessels in the brain.

• Physical Inactivity and Obesity

Not being physically active and being overweight can increase the risk of heart and brain problems.

• Depression and Social Isolation

Some studies have suggested that being depressed and alone can increase the risk of memory issues.

• Head Injuries

Getting hit on the head many times or very hard can cause damage to the brain. This can lead to long-term brain problems.

• Hearing Loss

Hearing loss that is not treated can increase the risk of Dementia

• Low education levels in early life

Having less education early in life can lead to a smaller cognitive reserve, increasing a person's risk of cognitive impairment [4].

Common Symptoms of Dementia

Dementia affects people differently. Symptoms change based on the type and stage of dementia. However, many types share common symptoms such as;

• Memory loss, such as forgetting recent events, conversations, or appointments.
• Struggling to find the right words when speaking, repeating questions, or having difficulty following conversations.
• Getting lost in places you know well or forgetting dates and times. This is called disorientation.
• Difficulty with complex tasks like planning, organising, or solving issues, like handling money or following recipes.
• Pulling away from others, losing interest in hobbies, and avoiding friends and family. This is called social withdrawal.
• Experiencing mood swings, anxiety, depression, or becoming unusually suspicious or fearful
• Experiencing paranoia, seeing things that are not there (more common in Lewy body dementia), described as hallucinations and delusions.
• Needing help with bathing, dressing, eating, and using the toilet as the disease advances [5].

10 Early Warning Signs You Should Watch Out For

1. Forgetting new information, like names and dates
2. Repeating the same questions
3. Struggling with familiar tasks, like cooking or driving to known places
4. Confusion about dates, seasons, or time
5. Trouble understanding visual images and spaces (e.g., misreading text)
6. New problems with speaking or writing words
7. Losing things and not being able to find them
8. Poor judgment (e.g., giving a lot of money to strangers)
9. Pulling away from work, social activities, or hobbies
10. Changes in mood, personality, or behaviour

How Dementia is Diagnosed

There is no single test to determine whether someone has dementia. Doctors use different tests to diagnose it. If you or someone you know has memory or cognitive problems, a doctor will usually:

• Ask specific questions about symptoms, when they began, and how they have changed over time.
• Check all your current medicines because some can affect your memory and thinking.
• Use tools like the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) to check memory, attention, language, problem-solving, and other thinking skills [6].
• Look for health problems like thyroid issues, infections, or a lack of vitamins that might be causing symptoms.
• Use brain scans like Computed Tomography (CT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to check for brain changes, exclude other issues like tumours or strokes, and sometimes find out what kind of dementia it is.
• Ask family and caregivers if they have noticed any changes in the person’s behaviour, memory, or abilities.

Treatment Options for Dementia

There is no cure for most types of dementia, like Alzheimer’s disease. But treatment can help with symptoms, slow it down in some cases, and improve life. Treatment usually includes medicine and other methods.

Non-Medication Therapies

Non-medication methods are just as important and can greatly help people with dementia and their caregivers feel better.

• Puzzles, music, storytelling, and social activities can help keep the mind sharp and improve mood.
• Reminiscing helps people with dementia remember happy times and feel like themselves. It often uses music, photos, and things they know well.
• Exercise is good for the brain and overall health. Walking, swimming, and gentle exercises can also help reduce behaviour problems.
• Learning how to communicate well, manage daily tasks, and change the home setup can greatly improve daily life.
• Making the home calm, organised, and safe can help reduce anxiety and confusion for someone with dementia.

Medications

Some medicines can help with dementia symptoms.

• Donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine are drugs used for Alzheimer’s disease and some other types. They help by increasing acetylcholine levels, which are important for memory and learning. These drugs do not stop the disease from worsening, but they can help improve symptoms or keep them stable for a while.
• Memantine is used for moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease. It works differently from other drugs. Memantine reduces too much glutamate activity in the brain. This might help protect brain cells from overstimulation. It can help with memory, attention, and daily tasks in some people with dementia. However, it does not cure or stop the disease.
• If a person with dementia also has depression, anxiety, trouble sleeping, or behaviour issues like agitation, doctors might give them specific medicines for these problems too.

Living With Dementia: What to Expect

Dementia gets worse over time, but how fast it happens is different for each person. Knowing the main stages can help families prepare and plan.

• In the early stage, a person with dementia is sometimes forgetful and confused, but can still do things alone. The person can drive, work, and join social activities.
• In the middle stage, memory problems and confusion are getting worse. It becomes harder to do everyday tasks. There might be changes in behaviour, and more help is needed for personal care.
• In the late stage, there is severe memory loss, trouble speaking, needing help with daily tasks, and a higher risk of infections and health problems.

Despite these challenges, people can still have dignity, comfort, and happy moments at every stage. Many people with dementia still know and respond to their loved ones, enjoy music, and connect with the world around them, especially when they are in a supportive environment.

How to Support Someone With Dementia

Taking care of someone with dementia can be very rewarding, but it can also be hard work. Here are some helpful tips for caregivers and family members.

• Keep daily routines steady. Familiar habits help reduce worry and confusion.
• Speak slowly and clearly. Use simple words. Give extra time for responses. Avoid arguing or correcting harshly.
• Make the home safe by removing hazards, adding holding bars in bathrooms, and using door alarms if wandering is a concern.
• Encourage activities the person likes. Music, art, simple gardening, and gentle exercise can bring joy and purpose.
• Take care of your own health, too. Get help from family, friends, or professional care services. Caregiver burnout is common.
• Connect with local dementia support groups, respite care services, and national organisations for guidance, resources, and support.

When to See a Doctor

Many people avoid going to the doctor because they are scared of what they might find out or hope their symptoms will go away. It is important to find out what is wrong early. Visit a doctor if you or someone you care about has symptoms.Seek medical advice if you notice

• Memory problems that are getting worse over time
• Repeated asking of the same questions within a short period
• Getting lost in familiar places
• Noticeable changes in personality, behaviour, or mood
• Difficulty managing finances, medications, or household tasks
• Withdrawal from social activities or hobbies that the person used to enjoy

Keep in mind that delaying serves no purpose. Receiving a diagnosis, even if it brings challenging news, allows you and your loved ones to prepare, seek support, and make the most of the time you have.

Conclusion

Dementia is tough, but you are not alone. With understanding, kind care, and support, people with dementia can live well for many years. If you are worried about yourself or someone else, talk to a doctor. Acting early helps with treatment, planning, and support. Remember to take care of yourself, ask for help, and know your efforts are important.

References 

1. World Health Organisation. Dementia, Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia 
2. 2024 Alzheimer’s disease facts and figures. Alzheimer’s & Dementia 2024; 20: 3708–3821. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38689398/
3. Chin KS. Pathophysiology of dementia. Aust J Gen Pract 2023; 52: 516–521. Available from: https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2023/august/pathophysiology-of-dementia
4. Livingston G, Huntley J, Sommerlad A, et al. Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission. The Lancet 2020; 396: 413–446. Available from: https://www.thelancet.com/article/S0140-6736(20)30367-6/fulltext
5. Symptoms of dementia. NHS.UK, Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dementia/symptoms-and-diagnosis/symptoms/ 
6. Creavin ST, Wisniewski S, Noel-Storr AH, et al. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) for the detection of dementia in clinically unevaluated people aged 65 and over in community and primary care populations. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2016; 2016: CD011145. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26760674/

Disclaimer:
The information provided on this website is for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition

Published April 20, 2026