| Early diagnosis of dementia can help delay the disease in progression
Is memory loss inevitable as aging? According to the Hong Kong Alzheimer's Disease Association, one in every ten local seniors over 70 years old suffers from dementia, and the rate of dementia among those aged 85 and above is as high as one-third. There is no doubt that the chance of dementia increases with age. However, it is not the sole culprit. Instead, it is the accumulation of abnormal amyloid protein leading to degeneration of brain neurons and eventually causing dementia. Aging is one of the risk factors but the exact reasons are still being ascertained. That is why we can see some elderly remains very smart up to age of 100. Early phase of dementia may have symptoms including forgetfulness, loss of orientation to time and space, which the patients themselves may not be aware of. In the middle phase, patients may struggle with daily activities, such as getting lost and experiencing difficulties with expression, judgment, and counting. In the late phase, patients may even have dysphagia, experiencing disorganised thoughts, and may develop hallucinations.
If you suspect your loved one may suffer from dementia, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. "Doctors will diagnose the condition through a thorough examination of medical history, cognitive assessments, blood tests and structural examinations. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, appropriate medication or non-pharmacological treatments can be arranged to slow down the progression of the disease and improve the patient's quality of life," explained Dr Chu Yim-pui Jonathan, Honorary Consultant in Neurology at Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong. 🔎Click here to watch a video (*in Cantonese only) in which Dr Chu Yim-pui Jonathan shares the prevention and treatment options for dementia, as well as the notes for caregivers.
及早診斷認知障礙症有助延緩病情惡化
隨著年齡增長，記憶力衰退便是無可避免？根據香港認知障礙症協會的數據，每10名70歲以上的長者便有一位患上認知障礙症，而85歲以上的長者則每3名便有1個患有此症。患上認知障礙症的機率毋庸置疑會隨著年齡的增長而增加。然而，年長並不是患上認知障礙症的單一元凶。相反，異常積聚的澱粉樣蛋白會導致大腦神經元退化，最終導致認知障礙症。衰老雖是風險因素之一，但確切原因仍尚待確定。這正好解釋為何一些百歲老人仍然非常機靈。
早期的認知障礙症患者可能會出現善忘、失去時間感及空間感的症狀，患者本身可能未必能察覺到。中期患者或會不能處理日常生活，例如會迷路；而言語表達、判斷及計算能力亦會出現問題。直到晚期，患者甚至會有吞嚥困難、思緒紊亂及出現幻覺等症狀。
若懷疑家人患上認知障礙症，應儘快陪同求醫。港怡醫院腦神經科名譽顧問醫生朱炎培醫生指出，醫生會透過查問病史、進行認知評估、血液測試以及結構性檢查以作診斷。確診後將再根據患者的情況安排藥物或非藥物的治療以延緩病情，從而改善患者的生活質素。 🔎請即觀看短片，由朱炎培醫生解說更多有關認知障礙症的預防及治療方法，以及給照顧者需要留意的事項。 | 
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