Define Dementia

Dementia describes a group of symptoms that severely affect an individual's social and intellectual abilities. Dementia is caused by changes in the brain, and is often linked with other health conditions.

Symptoms

• Common dementia symptoms include memory loss, disorganization, communication difficulties and personality changes. Many dementia sufferers have difficulty with motor functions and coordination.

Causes

• The two primary causes of non-reversible dementia are Alzheimer's disease and a loss of brain function due to strokes. Causes of reversible dementia include brain tumors, thyroid conditions, infections and metabolic factors.

Risk Factors

• Factors increasing an individual's risk for dementia include age and family history. Controllable risk factors include alcohol use, cholesterol and blood pressure levels, diabetes, depression and smoking.

Complications

• Dementia can lead to other health problems, including inadequate nutrition, impaired personal hygiene, sleeping problems, depression and delirium. Dementia often affects a sufferer's ability to handle daily activities, such as cooking and driving.

Medications

• Doctors often prescribe medications to minimize or slow the progression of dementia symptoms. These medications include cholinesterase inhibitors, which boost judgment and memory skills, and memantine, which affects memory and learning.