A person's medical history is an important part of the evaluation
when the person has symptoms of
dementia.
A family member can be very helpful in providing information about
the person's symptoms, such as when the symptoms were first noticed, how
quickly they developed, and whether they have continued to get worse.
Other information important to the health professional taking the
medical history includes:
- Other medical problems the person has had, such
as stroke, Parkinson's disease, HIV infection, depression, head injury, heart
disease, or lipid disorders (problems with cholesterol
levels).
- Whether there is a history of Alzheimer's disease or
dementia in the family.
- The person's family, social, cultural, and
educational background, as well as any recent unusual events in the person's
life. These factors can influence how a person performs on a mental status
test, and some experts believe that they may affect the risk of
dementia.
- What medications the person is taking. Some medications
can contribute to memory loss or mental impairment. This side effect of certain
drugs is an easy problem to correct but is often overlooked as the cause of
symptoms.
- History of alcohol or drug abuse.
