All Forms of Dementia & Their Symptoms

Dementia is one of the fastest growing diseases in the world. An estimated 24 million people worldwide are affected. More oftentimes than not, it's an age-related condition, so this number is expected to increase significantly by the year 2040. Not all forms of the disease are age-related, however their resulting symptoms are similar.

Identification

• Memory loss, disorientation and impaired motor-skill function are common symptoms associated with dementia. The average age range for onset is 65 to 85 years old. It's a progressive disease, meaning symptoms become increasingly worse over time. Laboratory tests and brain scans are unable to identify the presence of this disease. A marked change in normal behaviors involving memory, attention span, judgment, language skills and motor function are the criteria used in diagnosing this condition. In some cases, dementia can be partially cured, or completely cured depending on its origin, severity and stage of progression.

Function

• Dementia is caused by the gradual dying off of cells within the cerebral cortex area of the brain. This is the area responsible for cognitive functioning which accounts for the noticeable declines in memory, judgment and orientation. Cases in which the decline is irreversible are typically age related.

  Certain disorders may contribute to the onslaught of dementia. Those affecting blood flow to the brain, tumor masses, metabolic imbalances, or infection all contribute to damaging effects had on cells within the cerebral cortex region. People who've experienced traumatic brain injuries also run the risk of cell damage depending on which areas of the brain are affected.

Types

• The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer's disease. This disorder has been shown to run in families, and is suspected to be hereditary. Abnormal protein deposits within the brain's frontal lobe cause cells in this area to die. Lower than normal neurotransmitter chemicals within the brain also play a part in the degenerative process. Lewy body dementia is also caused by protein deposits that accumulate within the brain's nerve cells. Like Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia is progressive and irreversible, impacting concentration, memory, language and thought processes.

  Dementias resulting from poor blood circulation levels within the brain are called vascular dementias. These are characterized by a series of small strokes that cause blood vessel damage and gradually kill off brain cells. A more direct cause of brain cell damage occurs in alcohol-related dementia. Though not a reversible condition, continued damage can be stopped once a person stops drinking.

  A decline in motor skill functioning is most often associated with Parkinson's disease symptoms. Symptoms include tremors, limb stiffness and speech problems. The onslaught of dementia may, or may not occur with Parkinson's, and typically develops later on when it does.

Treatment Approaches

• Treatment methods for dementia disorders focus on controlling the symptoms of the disease. Treatment options vary depending on the type of disorder. Treating the cause of the underlying disease may involve attending to nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, drug induced effects or tumor-related effects. In cases of vascular dementias, reducing the likelihood of repeated strokes is of primary importance. For irreversible disorders, slowing the progression of the disease is about the only course of treatment available. The degenerative aspects of dementia oftentimes require a person to receive assistance with carrying out normal, everyday tasks. Conditions such as Alzheimer's can progress to the point of complete dependency, requiring a caretaker's attendance at all times. Medication and behavior therapy are the most commonly used approaches for treating mild, and moderate forms of dementia.

Prevention/Solution

• As Alzheimer's is the most prevalent form of dementia, spotting early warning signs can help to slow the onslaught and progression of the disease. Even though this is an age-related condition, and memory loss is a natural part of aging, memory loss to the point where a person is unable to carry out everyday life tasks is not a normal part of aging. Tasks that are familiar should remain familiar. Someone who's unable to carry out a familiar task, or has difficulty carrying out that task, may be exhibiting some early warning signs. A change in reasoning or judgment, often seen in how a person dresses--wearing winter clothes in the summer, or vice versa--misplacing things in strange places, or problems finding her way around familiar settings are all warnings signs that may indicate symptoms of dementia.