What is Dementia?
Dementia is a progressive condition that affects your memory, thinking skills and daily life. The effects are both physical and mental and can have an impact on your lifestyle, social life and daily activities.
While there are many types of dementia, the causes of which vary, the two most common types are Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that affects individual genes and is usually diagnosed in people over the age of 65. In contrast, vascular dementia occurs when there are too many toxins in the brain and this gradually destroys the tissues in the brain.
Causes of Dementia
Dementia is the result of damage to nerve cells in certain brain areas, which affects a person’s ability to communicate and show symptoms according to the area of the brain that is damaged. There are various types of conditions that can arise when a person has dementia. There are different types of dementia that develop gradually, and there are also conditions that mimic the symptoms of dementia but can be managed with certain medications. Progressive dementia is a condition that causes damage to certain nerve cells in the brain and can get worse over time. While it is not possible to fully recover from this condition, there are several treatments that can be used to slow the progression of symptoms and make daily life more manageable. Some types of progressive dementia include Alzheimer’s Disease, Vascular Dementia, Lewy Body Dementia, Frontotemporal Dementia, and Mixed Dementia.
Symptoms of Dementia
Early-stage dementia can cause the following symptoms:
• Difficult to deal with change. For example, difficulty accepting schedule or environmental changes could be a sign of ADHD.
• Impaired short-term memory. People with dementia can remember events 15 years ago well. However, they couldn’t remember what happened just a moment ago.
• Difficult to choose the right words. With time and age, memorizing new words or forming associations with words becomes more difficult. However, this does not mean that it is impossible.
• Repeating things. For example, ask the same question, complete the same task, or tell the same story over and over again.
• Confused with directions. Places that were once well known may now seem foreign.
• Difficulty digesting the other person’s words. People with memory loss may have difficulty understanding stories or product descriptions. Providing visuals can help them stay engaged and understand what is being communicated.
• Mood swings. It is difficult to deal with someone who has dementia and they may often show signs of depression, frustration, & anger.
• Loss of interest. For example, they are not very interested in the hobbies they used to enjoy.
• Confusion. People with dementia may not recognize the people around them and the places they visit. They may also forget about recent events.
• Difficulty completing daily tasks. People with dementia can find it difficult to perform tasks they have been doing for a long time.
Conclusion
Dementia is a serious medical condition that affects many people as they age. While there is currently no cure, there are ways to slow the progression of the disease. Lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly, can also help slow the progression of dementia.