WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT DEMENTIA.

DEMENTIA 

Dementia is a term used to describe a group of symptoms affecting memory, thinking and social abilities severely enough to interfere with your daily life. It isn't a specific disease, but several diseases can cause dementia.

Though dementia generally involves memory loss, memory loss has different causes. Having memory loss alone doesn't mean you have dementia, although it's often one of the early signs of the condition.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of a progressive dementia in older adults, but there are a number of other causes of dementia. Depending on the cause, some dementia symptoms might be reversible.

Facts

• Treatments can help manage condition, no known cure
• Diagnosed by medical professional
• Often requires lab test or imaging
• Common for ages 60 and older
• More common in females
• Family history may increase likelihood
• Urgent medical attention recommended in severe cases

Know More

Dementia can be categorized into following:

• Progressive dementia: The condition gradually progresses and cannot be reversed. This type includes:

• Alzheimer’s disease

• Vascular dementia

• Lewy body dementia

• Frontotemporal dementia

• Mixed dementia

• Dementia-like conditions: These can be reversed by managing underlying conditions or causes. For example, dementia resulting from infections, immune disorders, thyroid problems, use of certain medications, brain tumors, etc.

Symptoms

COMMON

The symptoms include:

Cognitive and sensory changes:

• Memory loss, generally noticed by the near and dear ones

• Difficulty in communication, especially finding the right words to communicate

• Reduced ability to organize, plan, reason, or solve problems

• Difficulty handling complex tasks

• Confusion and disorientation

• Difficulty with coordination and motor functions

• Loss of or Reduced visual perception

• Metallic taste in mouth, decreased sense of smell

• Agnosia - unable to identify objects or persons

Psychological changes:

• Changes in personality and behavior

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Hallucinations

• Mood swings

• Agitation

• Apathy - lack of interest or emotions

Causes

COMMON

Damage to brain cells is the primary cause of dementia. Causes for this damage include:

• Advance age, as in case of Alzheimer’s disease

• Family history

• Damage to blood vessels of the brain

• Accumulation of clumps of protein in the brain

• Genetic disorders such as Huntington's disease

• Mental and neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and depression

• Traumatic brain injury or repetitive brain injury as seen in boxers

• Infections which cause high fever

• Metabolic disorders such as thyroid problems and diabetes

• Certain medications

• Vitamin deficiencies

• Poisoning with heavy metals or pesticides

• Alcohol abuse

• Brain tumor or cancer

• Enlarged structures of the brain

Diagnosis

COMMON

IN SEVERE CASES

Diagnosis aims at finding at least two impaired mental functions that interfere with daily activities. Doctor may order several tests to confirm the diagnosis.

Patient history

Family history or any other injuries to head.

Laboratory examination

Include blood and spinal fluid examinations to check for infections, nutritional deficiencies and hormonal imbalance.

Psychological examination

To determine mental health conditions causing dementia.

Cognitive and neuropsychological tests

To evaluate thinking, memory, reasoning, judgment, language, and attention abilities.

Neurological test

To check for visual perception, movements, problem-solving, senses, balance, and reflexes.

CT scan

CT scan of brain is done to check bleeding or tumor in the brain.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

MRI of the brain provides a detailed image of abnormalities of the brain.

Positron emission tomography (PET)

This is done to check for brain activities.

Treatments

Most types of dementia cannot be cured. Treatments aim at reducing symptoms and progression of the condition.

Complications

After a prolonged period it may lead to:

• Loss of appetite

• Malnutrition

• Weight loss

• Pneumonia

• Inability to perform tasks without help

• Inability to perform self-care or hygienic tasks such as bathing, dressing, using toilets, etc

• Protecting self from any harmful situations

Questions To Ask Your Doctor

• Is the condition curable?

• How to delay the progression of the condition?

• Will they require help for daily activities as well?

• Will this condition affect work and social life?

Nutrition

FOODS TO EAT

FOODS TO AVOID

Foods to eat:

• Include fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet

• Include Vitamin E supplements

• Include fish in the diet to obtain adequate amounts of omega-3-fatty acids

• Include low-fat or fat-free foods to manage high blood cholesterol

• Use salt and sodium moderately

Foods to avoid:

Avoid carbohydrate-rich foods to manage diabetes