Noticing memory changes in yourself or a loved one can be frightening and overwhelming. Whether you’re experiencing concerning forgetfulness, have received a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment, or are navigating the challenges of dementia, you don’t have to face this journey alone. At Express Internal Medicine in Plano, TX, Dr. Iram Qureshi, DO provide compassionate, comprehensive dementia care that supports both patients and their families through every stage of cognitive decline.
Our board-certified internal medicine physicians understand that dementia affects the whole family, not just the individual patient. We provide early dementia diagnosis, ongoing symptom management, medication oversight, and caregiver support designed to help you maintain the highest possible quality of life. We serve patients and families throughout Plano, Allen, Frisco, McKinney, and Richardson with both in-person and telehealth appointments that accommodate your unique needs and circumstances.
Finding the right dementia doctor near me means choosing a practice that combines medical expertise with genuine compassion, takes time to listen, and commits to supporting you through this challenging journey.
Dementia is not a single disease but an umbrella term describing a group of symptoms affecting memory, thinking, and social abilities severely enough to interfere with daily functioning. While Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of cases, other types include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia.
Dementia develops when disease or injury damages brain cells, disrupting their ability to communicate with each other. Different types of dementia are associated with particular types of brain cell damage in specific brain regions.
Dementia typically progresses gradually through stages:
Early stage: Mild memory lapses, difficulty finding words, subtle changes in judgment or problem-solving, and increasing forgetfulness that begins to affect daily life.
Middle stage: More pronounced memory loss, confusion about time and place, difficulty recognizing familiar people, changes in behavior or personality, and increasing need for assistance with daily activities.
Late stage: Severe memory impairment, difficulty communicating, loss of physical abilities, and need for full-time care.
Understanding that dementia is progressive helps families plan appropriately and make the most of the time when cognitive abilities are still relatively preserved.
Not all memory changes signal dementia. It’s important to understand the differences:
Normal aging involves occasional forgetfulness like misplacing keys, forgetting someone’s name temporarily, or needing to think longer to remember something. These changes don’t significantly interfere with daily life and don’t worsen dramatically over time.
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents a middle ground between normal aging and dementia. People with MCI experience noticeable cognitive changes that are greater than expected for their age but still allow them to manage daily activities independently. While not everyone with MCI develops dementia, it does increase risk, making early monitoring crucial.
Dementia involves cognitive decline severe enough to interfere with independence and daily functioning. Memory loss is accompanied by impairment in other cognitive areas such as language, judgment, problem-solving, or visual perception.
While there’s currently no cure for most types of dementia, early dementia diagnosis provides significant benefits:
At Express Internal Medicine, we provide comprehensive dementia primary care that addresses medical, emotional, and practical aspects of living with cognitive decline.
Our diagnostic process begins with a thorough evaluation including:
When appropriate, we coordinate additional testing such as brain imaging (MRI or CT scan) or referral to neurologists or neuropsychologists for more detailed cognitive evaluation.
After diagnosis, we develop an individualized care plan that may include:
Medication management: For Alzheimer’s disease, FDA-approved medications called cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine can help manage symptoms and may temporarily slow cognitive decline. We carefully monitor effectiveness and side effects, adjusting treatment as needed.
Symptom management: Addressing behavioral and psychological symptoms such as agitation, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, or hallucinations through both medication and non-medication approaches.
Safety planning: Discussing home safety modifications, driving safety, and wandering prevention as cognitive decline progresses.
Support services coordination: Connecting you with community resources, support groups, adult day programs, or home care services when needed.
Dementia care extends beyond the patient to support the entire family. We provide:
We understand that caring for someone with dementia is one of life’s most challenging experiences. We’re here to support caregivers emotionally and practically, recognizing that your wellbeing directly impacts your loved one’s quality of life.
Not all memory concerns represent dementia. We provide specialized care for patients experiencing memory loss or diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment.
When patients notice memory changes, we first investigate potential reversible causes including:
Treating these underlying conditions often improves cognitive function significantly.
For patients with mild cognitive impairment treatment involves:
Research shows that about 10-15% of people with MCI progress to dementia each year, but many remain stable or even improve. Regular monitoring allows us to intervene promptly if progression occurs.
While we cannot prevent all dementia, certain strategies may reduce risk or slow progression:
Physical activity: Regular exercise improves blood flow to the brain and may help maintain cognitive function. Even moderate walking provides benefits.
Mental stimulation: Engaging in cognitively stimulating activities like reading, puzzles, learning new skills, or social interaction may help maintain brain health.
Heart-healthy diet: The Mediterranean diet and other eating patterns emphasizing vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, and healthy fats may support cognitive health.
Social engagement: Maintaining social connections and meaningful activities supports both cognitive function and emotional wellbeing.
Sleep quality: Treating sleep disorders and establishing good sleep habits supports brain health.
Cardiovascular health: Managing blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and other risk factors protects both heart and brain.
We provide personalized guidance on implementing these strategies in practical, sustainable ways.
Managing dementia requires regular medical oversight, but bringing someone with cognitive impairment to frequent appointments can be challenging. Express Internal Medicine offers telehealth appointments that make ongoing dementia care plano tx more accessible.
Telehealth is ideal for:
For many families, virtual visits reduce the stress and confusion that can accompany doctor’s office visits, especially for patients who find new environments disorienting.
Caregivers often need support but struggle to find time for their own appointments while managing their loved one’s care. Our telehealth dementia counseling allows caregivers to:
We recognize that caregiver wellbeing is essential to quality dementia care.
Telehealth provides continuity when:
Of course, certain situations require in-person evaluation, including initial comprehensive assessments, physical examinations, or urgent medical concerns. We’ll help you determine the best format for each appointment.
Finding dementia clinics near me that provide both medical expertise and genuine compassion makes an enormous difference in how you experience this journey. Here’s what sets Express Internal Medicine apart:
Dr. Iram Qureshi, DO, board-certified in internal medicine with extensive experience managing complex chronic conditions in older adults. Their training in geriatric care equips them to address the multiple medical issues that often accompany dementia while maintaining focus on quality of life.
Conveniently located in Plano and serving Allen, Frisco, McKinney, and Richardson, we're your neighborhood resource for comprehensive memory loss treatment. We offer flexible scheduling, including same-day appointments when available for urgent concerns, and both in-person and telehealth options to accommodate your family's needs.
We understand that dementia affects entire families, not just individual patients. Our approach includes:
We recognize the emotional weight of dementia and approach every interaction with sensitivity and understanding.
Dementia is a journey that unfolds over years. When you choose Express Internal Medicine, you’re establishing a long-term relationship with physicians who will:
You don’t have to navigate this journey alone. We’re here as your partners every step of the way.
Consider scheduling an appointment for dementia care near me if you or your loved one:
Caregivers should seek support if they:
Early evaluation provides the best opportunity for effective intervention and planning.
Finding the right fibromyalgia doctor can make a meaningful difference. At Express Internal Medicine in Plano, Dr. Iram Qureshi and Dr. Adeel Khan provide compassionate care for fibromyalgia and chronic pain management.
We offer both in-person and telehealth visits and welcome patients from Plano, Allen, Frisco, McKinney, Richardson, and nearby communities. We listen, we believe you, and we work with you to find relief.
You deserve care that helps you live better with fibromyalgia. Contact Express Internal Medicine today to schedule your appointment and take the next step toward improved symptom control and quality of life.
Early signs include memory loss affecting daily life, confusion with time or place, trouble finding words, misplacing items, poor judgment, withdrawal from activities, and personality changes.
No. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia, but dementia is a general term for cognitive decline. Other causes include vascular, Lewy body, and frontotemporal dementia, as well as some reversible conditions.
There’s no guaranteed prevention, but regular exercise, a heart-healthy diet, mental and social activity, good sleep, and managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes may reduce risk.
Most dementias can’t be cured, but treatments may help manage symptoms and slow progression. Medications, behavioral strategies, and supportive care can improve quality of life.
Visits are often every 3–4 months initially, then adjusted based on symptoms, medications, and caregiver needs. Telehealth may help with ongoing check-ins.
