Dementia is often miss understood, or not even recognised. This condition not only changes the lives of the patient diagnosed, but also the lives of their loved ones. How can you tell if your senior loved one may have dementia?
Different types of dementia: Symptoms and treatment
Dementia is defined as the loss of memory, cognitive functions, speech, and the ability to think clearly. This may occur as an early-onset, but most commonly, it happens as people age. There are many seniors that have one or more forms of dementia and in this post we will discuss some of the types of dementia, symptoms of dementia and the possible treatment.
Why do some people develop dementia?
As mentioned, some dementias like Alzheimer’s can develop with age, however, for some people, dementia occurs as a result of something else. For example, trauma or injury to the head, or as a result of a disease or a mental condition. In some cases, it can occur because of the nerve cells diminishing over time and having less connection to the brain.
What are the different types of dementia and its causes?
Dementia comes in various forms and can sometimes be mistook for other health conditions that also cause memory loss. Dementia affects over 50 million people across the world according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the numbers continue to increase.
#1 Alzheimer’s disease
Unlike the name suggests, Alzheimer’s isn’t so much a disease, but rather a condition that defines the progression of memory loss.
What causes alzheimer’s disease?
While the cause of alzheimer’s isn’t known, the prevalence remains high. Sometimes, alzheimer’s passes down as a hereditary disorder. In other cases, it may occur due to certain genetic mutations.
#2 Vascular dementia
Vascular dementia is another common version of memory loss condition. Seniors who experienced a stroke are often high-risk for vascular dementia. The arteries are affected and sometimes it leads to a steady progression of the loss of memory and function. It can also effect the ability to reason.
What causes vascular dementia?
As the name suggests, vascular dementia relates to the heart and the low oxigenated blood being able to travel to the brain.
#3 Lewy body dementia (LBD)
This form of dementia occurs because of an irregular rise of protein deposits on the brain. This is common in seniors with Parkinson’s disease, but it can also develop with ageing.
What causes Lewy body dementia?
Lewy body dementia disrupts the brain cells normal communications because of the abnormal protein deposits in the brain. This can be helped to some extent with treatment, but it is often progressive.
#4 Frontotemporal dementia
Patients with frontotemporal dementia often develop personality changes as well as language challenges because it affects the temporal and frontal lobes of the brain.
What causes frontotemporal dementia?
Frontotemporal dementia happens due to the breaking down of nerve cells. This bears an impact on their ability to communicate with the brain.
Treatment for dementia
Because every type of dementia is different and every person is different, the treatment is customised and suited to the patient. In early diagnosis and also in some seniors with conditions like Huntington’s and Parkinson’s, treatment might work. Doctors may prescribe medication to their patients, while other patients may receive non-drug treatment.
Not all treatments will work.
For some patients, certain treatment and therapy can result in the recovery of the condition, but for most it tends to be progressive. A reversal of dementia isn’t always possible. The key is to manage the situation and adapt the treatment as the stages progress.
Seniors and their families coping with dementia
When a senior loved one develops dementia, it can take its toll on the family. Because of the emotional and financial stress, it could lead to other problems and conditions. It is important to get professional help and support from trusted senior care institutes.
Brooklyn Care does have all kinds of dementia residents, speak to one of our friendly staff members to get all the information you require about dementia
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