Dementia

Dementia General Information

While not a disease itself, Dementia is a sum of symptoms caused by a number of other conditions or diseases, and can be considered a general loss or disruption of mental facilities such as reason, memory or thinking that are severe enough to affect the normal functioning of the individual. Depending on the conditions that cause it, there is a chance that it can be treated (in cases where the symptoms appear due to substance abuse, medication, hormone or vitamin imbalance, or even a severe depression), but most cases are not treatable. Currently, about 60-80% of the cases are caused by Alzheimer’s disease, along with the Lewy Body disease and Pick’s disease which rank second and third as major causes, and there are as many as 50 other different conditions that can also cause it, some of which are very rare, the actual percent of treatable cases being around 10%. Seeking advice from a specialized doctor is highly recommended.

The most common causes for Dementia are: Alzheimer’s disease, along with a number of other illnesses that cause damage to brain cells, such as Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases; conditions that affect blood vessels, for example stroke; toxic reactions from excessive drug or alcohol use; nutritional deficiencies; diseases affecting the spinal cord or the brain itself, such as AIDS or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease; head injury, either a large severe trauma or a number of smaller long-term injuries; certain types of hydrocephalus; and of course, it can also be caused by illnesses which are not related to the nervous system – such as lung, kidney or liver diseases, which can all lead to Dementia.

Dementia Symptoms

While the symptoms for this condition vary greatly from one individual to another, most of the time a patient in the first stage of Dementia will experience loss of short-term memory. Apart from that, other symptoms characteristic to this early stage are: difficulties remembering words or names, difficulty performing common tasks, uncharacteristic behavior, poor judgement, mood swings, paranoia, suspiciousness and other behavior disorders, a lower level of functioning but with capability of performing regular routines around the house, confusion in unfamiliar surroundings – patients in this state tend to wander in an attempt to return to a familiar environment.

The advance state of the condition brings about a worsening of the symptoms encountered in the initial stage, together with diminishing ability to compensate. The patient becomes unable to perform basic activities without help (bathing, feeding and dressing), has sleep disorders, is unable to learn and interpret new information, is increasingly confused and disoriented even in familiar surroundings. The risk of accidents due to poor judgement is greater in this case, and the patient experiences a wider range of more complex behavior disorders such as paranoid delusions, aggressiveness and agitation.

The last stage of Dementia is associated with severe worsening of all the symptoms, a complete loss of memory and total dependency on others to perform the most basic tasks, as the patient cannot even drink, eat or move from one place to another unassisted. The risk of choking or inhaling the food / drink is acute, and typically this stage is accompanied by a wide range of complications, such as malnutrition, infections, seizures and injuries from falls and accidents.

Dementia Treatment

Although Dementia itself cannot be treated, it is highly advised that the patient or his / her family seek advice from a specialized doctor as the condition that causes it may be treatable. However, in cases where the doctors diagnose an irreversible form, there is still much to be done to improve the patient’s condition and general health, and the patient should be under constant care. Depending on the disease underlying this condition, there is a variety of drugs and medications that can be prescribed to prevent the worsening of the symptoms, such as the drug Aricept, which is prescribed for patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Other cases, such as the multi-infarct Dementia, can be controlled by a strict treatment of blood cholesterol and diabetes, through diet and general prevention of further strokes.

Many patients with behavior problems can be prescribed medications that reduce nervousness, depression, anxiety, agitation or sleep disorders, and that can improve the patient’s state of mind as well as making caring for these patients easier. Again, depending on the condition underlying Dementia, an advice from a specialized doctor should be sought, in order to obtain a prescription for the drug best suited for the symptoms the patient is showing.

As a general rule, Dementia is usually developed by elderly patients, of 60 or more years of age. Apart from the care factor, it is extremely important to them to have the loved ones close, and in this respect it is highly recommended that the patients are assisted in their day to day life by family members. A familiar environment helps maintain a level of comfort for the patient, as well as reducing confusion in later stages.

For patients that may be affected by Dementia at a later date, is it suggested that they try to prevent this condition from occurring, mainly by keeping their memory sharp. Preventive actions may include, and not limit to: mental activities, such as chess or puzzles; physical fitness, which helps with general health condition and also helps keep a healthy state of mind; hobbies and family activities. Most important, limiting the use of alcohol, limiting and stopping smoking or drug usage is also very important to help prevent appearance or worsening of the symptoms.

Sometimes, keeping notes, calendars and memory aids can be very useful in patients in the early stages of Dementia. Planning, making to-do lists are recommended. Also, it is advised that patients are kept safe from any emotional stress, since depression, stress and anxiety are also factors which favor forgetfulness, and can worsen the symptoms of an already affected patient.

For further professional information regarding the appropriate therapy that you ought to be following (the one that should work best for your medical condition), please refer to your personal health care provider.