Information About Dementia

Dementia is a condition in which changes in brain cells result in loss of cognitive function, language ability, memory and social interaction. According to the Mayo Clinic, dementia is not a disease in itself, but rather a syndrome of symptoms caused by diseases such as Alzheimer's. There is no cure for dementia, but early diagnosis and treatment can significantly slow down the progress of the condition in many cases.

Causes

• According to the Mayo Clinic, almost 50 percent of people age 85 and older have Alzheimer's disease, a leading cause of dementia. Another cause is frontal lobe dementia, in which parts of the brain atrophy. It is sometimes misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's, but symptoms appear in a younger population. Vascular dementia is caused by conditions that affect blood flow to the brain, such as a stroke. Lewy body dementia is found in less than one percent of the over-65 population and causes mental confusion as well as muscle rigidity and tremors.

Cognitive Function

• Symptoms of dementia may differ, based on the underlying cause. Memory impairment is most common. People with dementia may forget where they put things, ask the same questions repeatedly or have difficulty remembering appointments. The ability to reason is affected, including a decline in the ability to plan, organize and learn new things. Language impairment is sometimes evident, in which the person can't recall names of objects, or uses words that make no sense in a specific context.

Behavioral Changes

• Some causes of dementia lead to significant behavioral changes. Alzheimer's patients, for example, often withdraw from social interaction in the early stages due to the mental confusion they experience during these encounters. Frustration over these difficulties sometimes leads to atypical bursts of anger. Later stages of the disease are characterized by paranoia and agitation that can trigger aggressive behavior.

Self-Care

• Dementia often leads to a decline in a person's ability to care for himself. People with dementia sometimes forget to take necessary medications, or to bathe or eat. They may be unable to perform simple daily tasks such as driving a car or putting on clothes. Behaviors such as wandering, common in Alzheimer's, may jeopardize the individual's safety. Care options such as hiring a home companion or moving to a care facility should be explored before the need arises, while the patient can still participate in making decisions.

Treatments

• There is no cure for dementia caused by damage to brain cells. However, medications are available that slow the progression of some causes of dementia. Donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine hydrobromide are used to treat the symptoms of Alzheimers as well as Lewy body and vascular dementia. Treatment is focused on controlling symptoms and lowering the patient's risk for complications due to related conditions such as a stroke.

Normal Aging or Dementia?

• Slower cognitive functioning and mild memory loss are often evident as we age. However, the Mayo Clinic states that normal cognitive decline will not interfere with daily functioning. Seek medical help if symptoms such as forgetfulness, confusion or an inability to concentrate suddenly worsen or prevent you from functioning normally. Early diagnosis allows for treatment that can slow the progress of the condition and improve quality of life significantly.