Early diagnosis of dementia vital: Mackenzie Health doctor
Tells health breakfast in Richmond Hill prompt intervention is key
YorkRegion.com
April 5, 2014
By Chris Traber
Mackenzie Health Hospital geriatrician Dr. Jeya Thayaparan wishes patients would see her earlier when they suspect memory loss is becoming a concern.
Forgetfulness is one sign of dementia onset and early diagnosis is the patient’s best defense towards dealing with Alzheimer’s, the specialist told a well attended audience of mostly seniors at a free health breakfast series hosted by St. Matthew’s United Church in Richmond Hill this morning.
Dr. Thayaparan advocates for prompt intervention, underscoring that therapies and medications can allow patients to live well despite memory loss and dementias.
“Life is not about existence,” she said. “It’s about how we live. I want to dispel misconceptions. We can treat symptoms and improve a patient’s quality of life.”
Predicting a dementia epidemic of “crisis proportions”, there are 500,000 Canadians living with dementia today and that number will almost triple by 2038, she said, citing Canadian Alzheimer’s Society statistics.
Each year, 103,700 new cases are diagnosed. That’s an incidence of one every five minutes.
It’s vital that individuals who suspect cognitive problems, or recognize them in their loved ones, act immediately and see a doctor.
“Get help, realize there is no stigma, be part of a medical team and know you’re not alone,” the doctor said, adding that regrettably, most of her patients arrive when they have moderate to severe dementia.
Engaging her audience with lay terminology and answers to their questions, Dr. Thayaparan explained that dementia is an umbrella term for a variety of brain disorders.
Symptoms include loss of memory, judgment and reasoning, and changes in mood and behaviour. Brain function can be affected enough to interfere with a person’s ability to function at work, in relationships and in everyday activities.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and is a fatal, progressive and degenerative disease that destroys brain cells. It accounts for 64 per cent of all dementias in Canada.
Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging. Symptoms include having difficulty remembering things, making decisions and performing ordinary activities. These changes can affect the way a person feels and acts. There is currently no cure to stop the disease.
Knowing the warning signs are imperative, she said. While forgetfulness is part of aging, red flag portents such as difficulty performing normal tasks, problems with language, disorientation, anger, poor judgment, changes in personality and loss of initiative should all be heeded.
While there is no treatment that will stop its progression, several drugs are available that can help with some symptoms.
These include Aricept, Exelon and Reminyl, all these cholinesterase inhibitors help by improving the ability of impaired nerve endings to transmit messages from one nerve cell to another.
Non-pharmacological treatments may also benefit people with Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Thayaparan recommends brain boosting activities such as puzzles, crosswords and word search games. Exercise and diet will also aid in the patient’s well being.
Dementia is not just an individual illness, Dr. Thayaparan said, it affect the whole family. Loved ones and caregivers can get training to help the person affected.
St. Matthew’s health ministry team hosts monthly wellness lunches and quarterly health breakfasts, parish nurse Linda Alldred-Johnson said.
“The intent is to present health information in a non-threatening environment, dispel fears and give people the opportunity to ask questions of medical professionals,” she said.
