DEMENTIA | ALZHEIMER | PARKINSON | MEMORY LOSS | BRAIN TUMORS

Problems of old age: Dementia

 

What is Dementia?

Dementia is a progressive decline in brain function. It affects a person's ability to think, memory, language skills and make decisions. Dementia is a serious illness that can significantly affect a person's life and the lives of their families.

It is not a disease but a mental stage. This problem occurs due to tension/depression/stress or any reason causing terrible effects on the brain. Alzheimer's is believed to be the root cause of dementia. Due to the lack of awareness in society regarding dementia, it becomes difficult to get out of this problem due to the fact that neither the sick person nor the people around him know about it.

One in ten people over the age of 65 may have dementia. In comparison to ten people aged 85 years, this number reaches 4. If a person develops dementia before the age of 65, most people think that dementia is a problem of forgetting small things. But forgetting things or getting amnesia is not the only symptom of this mental condition, it is more complex.

Types of Dementia:

There are many types of dementia, each with its own symptoms and causes. Some of the most common types include Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Lewy body dementia, and vascular dementia.

Alzheimer's Disease:

Alzheimer's disease is the thief of minds, and it strikes more people than any other type of dementia. It is caused by the accumulation of Alzheimer's plaques and tufts in the brain. Alzheimer's plaques are clumps of protein that damage brain cells. Tufts are collections of fibers that bind brain cells together.

Parkinson's Disease:

Parkinson's disease is a brain disease caused by a deficiency of a hormone called dopamine. Dopamine is a hormone that controls movement in the brain. People with Parkinson's disease may have difficulty moving and moving.

Lewy Body Dementia:

Lewy body dementia is a combined condition of Parkinson's disease and dementia. The condition can make it difficult for people to move and move, as well as affect their memory and ability to think.

Vascular Dementia:

Vascular dementia is a thief of brains, robbing them of oxygen and nutrients through damaged blood vessels. This reduces the supply of essential oxygen and nutrients to the brain, which can damage brain cells.

Some Common Symptoms of DEMENTIA Include:

Ø      Memory loss.

Ø      Difficulty thinking and understanding.

Ø      Changes in language skills.

Ø      Difficulty making decisions.

Ø      Difficulty moving and coordinating.

Ø      Change in personality.

Ø      Inability to enjoy social activities.

Ø      To say something constantly, to repeat it.

Ø      Obstruction in understanding something.

Ø      Behaving strangely while walking in society, not talking properly with people.

Ø      Not being able to remember something no matter how hard you try.

Ø      Loss of thinking power, constant strange behavior.

Ø      Being content in one's own world, giving up talking to others.

Ø      Freaking out for no reason, getting angry at others, and shouting.

Ø      Immediately forget what you had for breakfast in the morning.

Ø      It seems difficult to remember people's names.

Ø      Finding solutions to small problems seems impossible.

Ø      Dressing strangely, being untidy. Dress the other way around.

Ø      Forgetting the current day, date, month, or year. Inability to solve simple maths, fumbling in questions.

Ø      Difficulty in speaking or writing the wrong word, not understanding the meaning of words properly.

Ø      Trying to misplace things. E.g. going to put clothes in the fridge.

Ø      Forgetting what you were doing immediately after starting any work.

As a person moves into the final stages of dementia, they have to rely on others for even simple tasks. The problem of not remembering things can also be memory loss.

Causes of Dementia:

Any particular disease or accident can affect the cells in the brain. Damage to them can affect other functions in the body, such as a blow to the head, stroke, brain tumors or HIV infection.

Dementia can be caused by damage to some of the many cells in the brain. This can adversely affect the ability of communication between existing cells in the brain. This causes dementia to affect the way a person thinks and feels.

Treatments Available for Dementia:

So far, no treatment for dementia has been completely effective, with experts disagreeing about the causes of the disease and not focusing on one factor to be sure that it is the right treatment. If the brain cells start to stop working, there is no proper formula to restart them, so far no modern science has any cure for dementia. There is no cure for dementia, but some treatments can treat symptoms and improve quality of life. There are some medications available for Alzheimer's disease. Parkinson's disease may steal your movement, but medications and surgery can help you reclaim it. There is no specific treatment for Lewy body dementia and vascular dementia, but medications or surgery may be used to reduce symptoms.

HOW TO PREVENT DEMENTIA:

1. Eating a healthy diet

2. Exercising regularly

3. Quit smoking

4. Limiting drinking

5. Controlling blood pressure, fat, and sugar levels

6. Brain stimulating activities.

A Diagnosis of Dementia:

Doctors will consider a patient's medical history, psychological testing, and other tests to diagnose dementia.

Summary

Dementia is a mental condition that is more common in the elderly. A person suffering from dementia becomes mentally weak. It also affects physical health. The person needs help from others even in completing daily tasks.

FAQ on Dementia

Q: What is the main cause of dementia?

A: Dementia is caused by damage to or loss of nerve cells and their connections in the brain. The specific symptoms of brain damage vary depending on the location of the injury. Dementia can affect people differently.

Q: What are the early signs of dementia?

A: Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer's and Dementia:

Memory loss that disrupts daily life.

Challenges in planning or solving problems.

Difficulty completing familiar tasks.

Confusion with time or place.

Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships.

New problems with words in speaking or writing.

Q: What is dementia in simple words?

A: Dementia is not a specific disease but is rather a general term for the impaired ability to remember, think, or make decisions that interfere with doing everyday activities. Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of dementia.

Q: Can dementia be cured?

A: There is no cure for dementia yet. However, with the right care and support, it is possible for someone to live as well as possible for as long as possible. Alzheimer's Society has been a pioneer in dementia research, and their support has helped to lay the groundwork for many of the promising new treatments that are currently in development.

Q: What age is early for dementia?

A: Younger onset dementia is used to describe any form of dementia that develops in people under the age of 65. Dementia has been diagnosed in people in their 50s, 40s, and even in their 30s. It is sometimes called Early Onset Dementia.