
Dementia is a serious condition involving a decline in mental abilities such as memory, language, problem-solving, attention, and the ability to perform everyday tasks, and it is not a normal part of aging. The most common types are neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, vascular dementia, and mixed dementia, while other diseases and brain injuries can also cause dementia-like symptoms. Risk factors include aging, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, excessive alcohol use, and family history. Symptoms often begin with forgetfulness and progress to confusion, personality changes, difficulty with daily activities, and in some cases movement problems, with severity ranging from mild to complete dependence. Diagnosis involves medical history, exams, cognitive testing, and imaging. Although there is no cure for most dementias, treatments such as medications, therapy, and supportive care can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

