Definition of Dementia

If you have ever had a loved one forget your name, you may be familiar with the pain of dementia. Dementia is a disease that affects not just the victim, but also family and friends. Though there are many different forms of dementia, and Alzheimer's disease is by far the most common. Dementia refers to a decline in mental and social functioning that can begin to interfere with one's life.

About

• Dementia can be a difficult disease to understand. Just because an individual has some memory problems doesn't mean he has dementia. Usually, to be diagnosed with dementia, the person must have two or more symptoms that relate to brain function.

Causes

• Because dementia is a general term that refers to many different diseases, it is difficult to define a cause. They are different for each person, and many of the causes are unknown. Many types of dementia get progressively worse, like Alzheimer's and Lewy body dementia. Some types are caused by destruction of brain cells, clumps of protein found in the brain, problems with brain arteries and nerve cell damage. Dementia can often be the result of another disease, like HIV, Huntington's disease and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Some types of dementia are caused by things like infections and nutritional deficiencies, which can be reversed.

Risk Factors

• There are some risk factors that may increase your chances of getting dementia. Generally, the elderly are at a much higher risk for diseases like vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Heredity also may play a role in dementia, and some specific genetic mutations can increase your chances of getting it. Alcohol use, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression, diabetes and smoking are all diseases that can contribute to dementia.

Symptoms

• There is a broad spectrum of dementia symptoms, as dementia includes many problems that are associated with brain function. Symptoms of memory loss such as forgetting a loved one's name, repeating conversations and forgetfulness are all common signs. Physical symptoms can include a general decline in motor skills and coordination. You may notice other changes in personality, such as paranoia, agitation and inappropriate behavior. In certain diseases, like Alzheimer's, the symptoms may progress and worsen over time.

Diagnosis

• A doctor diagnoses dementia. Usually, this requires an extensive look at medical history and a physical exam. He may give memory and language tests in addition to others to assess your cognitive abilities. Different types of brain scans also can offer clues as to what causes your dementia. Lab tests can help rule out other diseases. They include blood tests and spinal fluid analysis.

Treatment

• There is not one single approach to treating dementia that works for everyone. Because there are so many different types and causes of the disease, treatment varies for everyone. Certain drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors can help improve brain function in Alzheimer's patients and several other types of dementia. Several other medications can be used as well. For some types of dementia, treating the causes is enough to treat dementia. Someone with dementia that is caused by high blood pressure benefits by taking blood pressure medication.