What symptoms does the patient with dementia have?
Initially there will be lack of interest in work. Forgetfulness is the earliest symptom. Patient can’t remember the names properly. Difficulty in handling money and calculation becomes evident. The patient may repeatedly ask the same question, failing to retain the answers. Then he may no longer able to think about a problem or discuss about it. Unreasonable anger, easy crying and aggressiveness may be there. Frequent change in mood becomes evident. There will be difficulty in using a telephone, dressing or walking. The patient has difficulty in speaking. He substitutes words (paraphasia) and sometimes repeats the same sentences (echolalia). In later stages there will be difficulty in walking. How do you diagnose dementia? The history is the most important and must be taken from a reliable relative. The time when the symptoms started and how it started must be asked. Systemic diseases, history of trauma, surgery, psychiatric illness, alcohol abuse, exposure to occupational toxins shoul
