Medical Problems: Dementia

OVERVIEW

This page is designed to organize content that is relevant to the topic of dementia. This term is used often in medicine, and it is important that we become as familiar as possible with it.

WHAT EXACTLY IS IT?

Before going any farther, let us make sure we clearly define the “medical problem”. Dementia refers to

WHY IS IT A PROBLEM?

 

ORGANIZING THE DIFFERENTIAL

The differential diagnosis for dementia can be organized in a few different ways:

  • Can’t miss diagnosis
  • Organ systen
  • Disease category
  • Diagnostic modality
  • Most common diagnosis
CLINICAL “WORKUP”

Now that the possible causes of dementia have been established, the focus can shift to how one would actually “work-up” a patient who presents with dementia

  • Collecting the history
  • Peforming the physical
  • Ordering studies/tests
  • Intrepreting clinical data

 

 

Page Updated: 10.13.2016