Page 140 - A Soldiers Exposition

DEMENTIA AND TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY (TBI)

Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life.

Dementia:

• Loss of memory
• Communication and language
• Ability to focus and pay attention
• Reasoning and judgment
• Visual perception

People with dementia may have problems with short-term memory, keeping track of a purse or wallet,
paying bills, planning and preparing meals, remembering appointments or traveling out of the
neighborhood.

Many dementias are progressive, meaning symptoms start out slowly and gradually get worse. If you or a
loved one is experiencing memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills, don't ignore them. See a
doctor soon to determine the cause. Professional evaluation may detect a treatable condition. And even if
symptoms suggest dementia, early diagnosis allows a person to get the maximum benefit from available
treatments and provides an opportunity to volunteer for clinical trials or studies. It also provides time to
plan.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Cognitive Change and Dementia:

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results from an impact to the head that disrupts normal brain function. TBI is a
significant threat to cognitive health in two ways:

(1) A TBI’s direct effects — which may be long-lasting or even permanent — can include
unconsciousness, inability to recall the traumatic event, confusion, difficulty learning and remembering
new information, trouble speaking coherently, unsteadiness, lack of coordination and problems with vision
or hearing.
(2) Certain types of TBI may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia
years after the injury takes place.

http://www.alz.org/