2d. Diagnosing Dementia
The dementia symptoms you learned about earlier may be mild at first and progress over time. If you have any concerns about symptoms, schedule an exam with your primary health care provider. Physicians will use several different methods of testing to accurately diagnose dementia.
Use the image below to learn more about tests used to diagnose dementia.
Medical History and Physical Exam
- Your doctor will ask about past and present medical problems and concerns
- They will review medications you are taking currently and have taken in the past
- They will ask about your diet and alcohol use
- They will ask if any medical conditions are present in your family
- They will check your blood pressure, temperature and pulse
- They will listen to your heart and assess your overall health
Lab Tests
- Your doctor may decide to order blood work in order to rule out any deficiencies, infections, or organ problems
- They may take a urine sample to screen for infection and kidney function
- They may want to analyze proteins found in your spinal fluid, by performing a spinal tap
Mental Health and Cognitive Status
- Your doctor will ask questions to determine if you have any symptoms of depression
- They will also perform tests to evaluate your cognitive skills, such as memory, problem-solving, etc.
Brain Imaging
- Your doctor will order a CT scan that will help show the structure of the brain and detect anything that is not normal
- They may also order an MRI, which provides a higher quality image of the brain
- Other scans can be used to evaluate the brain’s function, such as a PET scan, or a SPECT scan
Medical History and Physical Exam
- Your doctor will ask about past and present medical problems and concerns
- They will review medications you are taking currently and have taken in the past
- They will ask about your diet and alcohol use
- They will ask if any medical conditions are present in your family
- They will check your blood pressure, temperature and pulse
- They will listen to your heart and assess your overall health
Lab Tests
- Your doctor may decide to order blood work in order to rule out any deficiencies, infections, or organ problems
- They may take a urine sample to screen for infection and kidney function
- They may want to analyze proteins found in your spinal fluid, by performing a spinal tap
Mental Health and Cognitive Status
- Your doctor will ask questions to determine if you have any symptoms of depression
- They will also perform tests to evaluate your cognitive skills, such as memory, problem-solving, etc.
Brain Imaging
- Your doctor will order a CT scan that will help show the structure of the brain and detect anything that is not normal
- They may also order an MRI, which provides a higher quality image of the brain
- Other scans can be used to evaluate the brain’s function, such as a PET scan, or a SPECT scan