Psychologists define human cognition as his ability to perceive and process information coming from outside. This concept is closely related to the desires and beliefs of a person, his memory and imagination.
Cognitive functions play an important role in the process of human mental development, and their impairment is a serious neurological symptom. Such problems most often arise due to diffuse or focal brain lesions. The age of the patient may also be the cause. According to statistics, about twenty percent of patients over the age of sixty-five suffer from cognitive disorders, which most often manifest themselves in the form of dementia - acquired dementia.
Causes of cognitive impairment
Despite the fact that cognition is directly dependent on the functioning of the brain, cognitive disorders are not always associated with diseases of this organ. The reasons may be: kidney disease, deficiency of vitamin B12, folic acid, liver disease. Very often, cognitive impairments are symptoms of cardiovascular failure, alcohol or any other poisoning, as well as prolonged depression. Due to the many reasons that can lead to impaired cognitive functions, patients with complaints of memory impairment and other problems associated with brain activity should undergo an extensive examination and, preferably, repeat the studies after a few days in order to exclude the momentary factor.
Cognitive disorders treatment
According to experts, the indicators of cognition vary in each case. It is normal for some cognitive impairment to occur intermittently. This happens in every person, and therefore you should not resort to treatment at the slightest similar symptom. However, if symptoms appear more and more often, and people around you begin to pay attention to them, you should contact a neurological clinic and undergo an examination. Unfortunately, without drug treatment, cognitive disorders do not go away, but only intensify over time, so you should not delay going to the doctor.
In the process of making a diagnosis, the doctor prescribes neuropsychological testing for the patient, which consists in the patient performing exercises for memorization, reproduction of pictures and words, and also a check for concentration of attention. Based on this study, the specialist determines the state of the patient's cognitive functions and decides on further treatment.
