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What is Dementia?
The term 'Dementia' is used to describe the symptoms that occur when the brain is affected by specific diseases and conditions. These include Alzheimer's disease and stroke.
Dementia is progressive, which means the symptoms will gradually get worse. How fast Dementia progresses depends on the individual. Each person is unique and will experience Dementia in their own way.
Symptoms of Dementia include:
- Loss of memory - for example, forgetting the way home from the shops, or being unable to remember names and places.
- Mood changes - particularly as parts of the brain that control emotion are affected by disease. People with Dementia may also feel sad, frightened or angry about what is happening to them.
- Communication problems - a decline in the ability to talk, read and write.
- In the later stages of Dementia, the person affected will have problems carrying out everyday tasks and will become increasingly dependent on other people.
What Causes Dementia?
There are several diseases and conditions that cause Dementia. These include:
- Alzheimer's Disease
This is the most common cause of Dementia. During the course of the disease the chemistry and structure of the brain changes, leading to the death of brain cells.
- Vascular Disease
The brain relies on a network of vessels to bring it oxygen-bearing blood. If the oxygen supply to the brain fails, brain cells are likely to die and this can cause the symptoms of vascular Dementia. These symptoms can occur either suddenly, following a stroke, or over time through a series of small strokes.
- Dementia with Lewy Bodies
This form of Dementia gets its name from tiny spherical structures that develop inside nerve cells. Their presence in the brain leads to the degeneration of brain tissue. Memory, concentration and language skills are affected. This form of Dementia shares some characteristics with Parkinson's disease.
Rarer Causes of Dementia
There are many other rarer causes of Dementia, including progressive supranuclear palsy, Korsakoff's syndrome, Binswanger's disease, HIV and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). People with multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease may also be more likely to develop Dementia.
Who Gets Dementia?
- Dementia mainly affects older people. However, it can affect younger people
- Both men and women get Dementia.
- Scientists are investigating the genetic background to Dementia. It does appear that in a few rare cases the diseases that cause Dementia can be inherited.
Can Dementia be Cured?
Most forms of Dementia cannot be cured, although research is continuing into developing drugs, vaccines and treatments. Drugs have been developed that can temporarily alleviate some of the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease in the early to middle stages. These drugs act in the brain to maintain supplies of an important chemical called acetylcholine.
How Can I Tell if I Have Dementia?
Many people fear they have Dementia, particularly if they think that their memory is getting worse. Becoming forgetful does not necessarily mean that you have Dementia. Memory loss can be an effect of aging. It can also be a sign of stress or depression. In rare cases, Dementia-like symptoms can be caused by vitamin deficiencies and/or a brain tumor. If you are worried about yourself, or someone close to you, it is worth discussing your concerns with your physician.
Diagnosing Dementia
It is very important to get a proper diagnosis.
- A diagnosis will help the doctor rule out illnesses that might have similar symptoms to Dementia, including depression.
- Having a diagnosis may mean it is possible to be prescribed drugs for Alzheimer's disease.
- Whether you are someone with Dementia or a caregiver, a diagnosis can help you prepare and plan for the future. Dementia is diagnosed by a doctor, either an internist or a specialist. The specialist may be a geriatrician (a doctor specializing in the care of the elderly), a neurologist (someone who concentrates on diseases of the nervous system) or a psychiatrist (a mental health specialist). The doctor may carry out a number of tests. These are designed to test memory and the ability to perform daily tasks.
Can Dementia be Prevented?
At present we are not sure what causes most of the diseases that lead to Dementia. This means it is difficult to be sure what we can do to prevent Dementia. However, the evidence seems to indicate that a healthy diet and lifestyle may help protect against Dementia. In particular, not smoking, exercising regularly, avoiding fatty foods and keeping mentally active into old age may help to reduce the risk of developing vascular Dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
* The articles contained in this section are for informational and editorial purposes ONLY. Always consult with your medical provider to assess your individual needs.
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