Losing one’s memory or ability to think, that ultimately makes it hard to function normally on day to day basis, is known as dementia, a generic term that encapsulates a number of conditions under it. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a single disease but a cluster of symptoms which are the effect of a number of disease processes that involve the brain. more than 60-80% of the dementia cases globally, is accounted for by an awful disease called alzheimer’s disease, though there are many other types.

Types of dementia: dementia of old age – Alzheimer’s disease

The most frequently diagnosed form of dementia that is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain tissues. It produces confusion, a gradual loss of memory, and changes in personality.

Patients first present with low “mind-tide” situational amnesia, which becomes less severe with time; this is extreme and finally leads to issues in speech, and logic, and accomplishing regular tasks.

Dementia of Venues: Vascular

Many causes can lead to this, but the most common cause might be vascular damage due to a lack of adequate blood supply to the brain, whether due to obstructive strokes or vascular injury.

While the exact area of the brain affected will influence specific symptoms produced the general symptoms commonly entail confusion, difficulty focus, and indecisiveness.

Lewy body dementia (LBD):

It is related to brain deposits of so-called Lewy bodies which contain excessive α-synuclein. It often presents with dreams and delusions, transitions in the way that one thinks, sleep disorders, and signs of movement similar to those in people with parkinson’s disease.

In the earlier stages what is lost is often not so apparent, however, this could possibly be more pronounced in the later stages of the disease.

Dementia of frontal and temporal lobe (FTD):

These change one’s personality, behaviour and language ability hence the frontal and temporal lobes of the cerebrum are affected.

The most common form of dementia is characterised by memory loss, but there can be early warning signs. Instead, early signals might be inappropriate behavior, excessive activities, or problems with speaking and finding the right words.

In a dementia of a mixed type:

2 or more forms of dementia combined most usually, Alzheimer’s disease and Vascular dementia.

Diagnostic criteria for both diseases are sometimes mutually exclusive. Hence this increases the difficultness to make a diagnosis clinically.

This is a Dementia of Parkinson’s conditions:

A dementia condition found in some patients with Parkinson’s Disease which develops at a later stage of the disease. It encompasses memory impairments including confusion and even forgetfulness as well as attention problems.

Still other forms:

Symptoms related to the some forms of dementia can be caused by TBI, Crennfeldt Jacob disease and huntington diseases as well.

Dementia-related symptoms:

Although the cause of dementia varies with the symptoms, the common ones tend to include:

Retention factor:

In particular, recently past or present short term memory loss, inability to remember events or people within the short time duration.

Complexity in the aspects of planning and or problem solving:

Managing affairs needing money, adhering to some instructions, a set out course or plan and or decision making.

confusion regarding the time or the physical space:

Becoming confused and lost within a short span of time not knowing the surroundings or how one got there.

Language and communication problems:

Displacing the right words, following dominion, and recognizing items

Tolerance in making poor decisions:

Practically poor option or the inability to address risk factors (i.e. bus left on in the kitchen.)

Transformations in Personality and Behaviour:

Fear, excessive users anger, mental lethargy excessive hostility, and social apathy or regression.

Coordination and function of motor systems:

Gait disorders, balancing difficulties, and a decline in degreed or dorsal fine motor skills.

Delusions or perceptions:

Within those with Lewy body conditions, one perceives events which do not occur or believes delusive thoughts.

Dementia risk factors include:

Age:

The leading risk factor is due to Age as its caused by dementia which usually happens to elderly people particularly over the age of 65.

Family History and Inheritance:

While it usually does not occur genetically, the presence of a family history of dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease, is always a risk factor.

Cardiovascular Risk Factors:

Some conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and atherosclerosis can increase the risks of having vascular dementia and other forms of dementias.

Lifestyle factors:

Dementia can occur with lifestyle changes that include smoking, lack of exercise, bad nutrition, and excess drinking.

Head Injury:

Repeated sustained minor to moderate (i.e. contact sports) head trauma increases the risks for other dementia type disorders and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Other Medical Conditions:

Parkinson’s disease, depression and sleep apnea have been claimed to have a high risk of cognitive decline and dementia-related disorders.

Dementia’s diagnosis:

For dementia as such, there is no single test that can be done. Instead, the diagnosis is made through a combination of carry out tests and a number of assessment tools:

Medical Background:

A thorough checking of the health records, family history and the current health complaints of the individual.

Cognitive and neuropsychological assessments:

These tests attempt to assess variables that include memory, language, attention to tasks, problem solving, and others referred to as cognitive functions.

Exams: Physical and neurological:

Physical examination and neurological examination is undertaken in order to eliminate other conditions that could be responsible for the symptoms like stroke or Parkinson’s disease.

Imaging the brain:

CT, MRI, or PET scans can be used to identify structural changes in the brain such as tumors, strokes, or shrinkage.

Blood Analysis:

These might rule out other factors such as infections, vitamin deficiencies or hypothyroidism that are known to lead to cognitive decline.

Blood Spinal Test Indicators:

Certain biomarkers indicative of Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia may be found in the fluid that surrounds the spinal cord.

Dementia Treatment Choice:

Although the disease is not reversible, some medications and therapies help to manage the symptoms and improve the quality of life.

Medicines:

Cholinesterase inhibitors such as donepezil and rivastigmine are commonly prescribed for Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Cholinesterase is a medication that potentially achieves communication of nerve impulses more efficiently to increase the brain activity.

Another drug focused on Memory and cognition treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer Дisease is Memantine, which acts on NMDA receptors and controls the level of glutamate.

Prescribed to control mood changes, anxiety, or hallucinations including but not limited to, the following antidepressants or antipsychotic drugs may be:

cognitive therapy:

Structured group activities designed enhancing cognitive skills and socialization promotion over people defines CST or Cognitive Stimulation Treatment.

Cognitive rehabilitation helps a person make plans for dealing with memory loss or other cognitive-related problems.

Supported Therapies and Lifestyle:

Behavioral therapy emphasizes exercise and stable diet and regular mental activity e.g. reading or solving puzzles helps in reducing the progression of dementia and improves general health of the person.

Improving the quality of life is highly dependent on social activities as well as participation in family, caregiving, and deformation related support groups.

Occupational therapy:

This service enables persons with impairments to be independent in the work environment by training them activities of daily living, ways of safety and behavioral modifications.

Environmental Adjustments:

This can extend to making clear the house and creating safe environments in order to reduce complication, anxiety, and any risk of injury to the subject. This may require marker, proper lighting, and putting things away or clearing clutter.

Preventing dementia:

Although some risk factors for dementia such as age and heredity are quite difficult to change, it is still possible to reduce the risk and delay the onset of dementia through lifestyle changes like:

People satisfy themselves with the body reduction and do not engage in regular exercises. This increases the risk of developing recurrent DMA by improving the blood flow to the berry center. Thus, increases brain acuity.

Additionally, factors “add” to light cognitive improvement, notably among them healthy diet habits including the Mediterranean diet consisting of numerous fruits, vegetable, whole grain, lean protein, and good fats.

Mental activity slows the rate of processing any kind of information and involves doing crosswords, acquiring new skills, or simply meeting with thoughtful friends, which all require some or other mental effort.

Sueno: one of the risks of dementia is the chronic deprivation of sleep and therefore brain function may be noticeably deters.

Lowering blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol levels are essential in addition to minimizing risks of dementia or vascular dementia.

In brief, dementia refers to a range of cognitive diseases and in this dementia disorder, alzeimers is the most common. Although there is no known cure for the diseases, treatment allows management of the features and progression of the diseases. People with dementia, and their relatives are better off once the disease is managed and medications/drugs and behavioral modifications are instituted. This enhances the quality of life.