Mild cognitive impairment and its medical care

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a health condition that affects an individual’s cognitive skills. It has adverse effects on patient’s memory as well as on thinking abilities. Individuals suffering from MCI are always at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Usually, it is considered the phase between normal aging process and dementia. 

 

What are the symptoms of mild cognitive impairment?

• Memory issues
• Difficulties in decision making
• Problem in judgment abilities
• Language disturbance
• Deterioration in visual perception
• Problem in interpreting instructions

Family and friends of patient can easily recognize the difference in behavior. People suffering from MCI face difficulties in performing daily tasks since they forget things or cannot decide. It is also normal for the Mild cognitive impairment patients to experience anxiety, irritability, and depression. If you notice any of the symptoms in your family member or friend, you should immediately contact the best physician in Port Jefferson or your city.

What causes mild cognitive impairment in an individual?

According to the healthcare experts, there is not defined cause or reason behind the beginning of this syndrome in an individual. Therefore, increasing age is considered a risk factor for this condition. People suffer from memory issues with aging, which may lead to MCI. Factors like diabetes, depression, elevated cholesterol, sleep apnea, physical inactivity, and high blood pressure also affect the functionality of brain.

How is it diagnosed?

There is no specific medical test to diagnose this condition. Physicians determine if a patient has mild cognitive impairment or not on the basis of their symptoms. Doctors evaluate the provided health information of an individual. They ask patients question about symptoms like if they are experiencing memory loss or issues with decision making. Physicians also check for dementia. One cannot be diagnosed both with dementia and MCI. Doctors also evaluate an individual’s condition with Neurological exam, lab tests, MRI, CT scan and more.

How MCI is treated?

Like diagnosis, there is no specific treatment for this syndrome. Healthcare experts recommend to get some treatments of Alzheimer’s disease. Since MCI is slightly similar to Alzheimer’s disease, a mild cognitive impairment patient can get treatments like antioxidants and cholinesterase inhibitors.

Since there is no specific cause, treatment, or diagnosis for this condition, it is important for an individual to take proper care of health. If doctor determines that patient is suffering from MCI, then it becomes important to get regular health checkup. It ensures that patient’s condition is not getting worse.