Timely intervention in dementia can improve the individual’s quality of life and slow the progression of the disease. However, the support provided to people living with dementia and their caregivers is also extremely important. This support may include practical knowledge, emotional solidarity and social acceptance.
If we look at what dementia is, we can roughly call it loss of brain functions.
Dementia refers to a group of diseases characterized by loss of brain functions. This loss may be at a level that can affect the individual’s daily life. The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is a condition that causes nerve cells in the brain to die over time. This results in changes in memory, thinking and behavior. Other common causes of dementia include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontal lobe dementia.
What are the symptoms of dementia?
Although dementia is associated with old age, it can occur at any age. However, the risk of dementia increases with age. Various factors can influence the risk of dementia, including genetic factors, age, cardiovascular health, brain trauma, and general lifestyle. When it comes to how to understand dementia, the disease usually manifests itself with symptoms such as memory loss, decreased cognitive abilities, attention deficit, language disorders and even personality changes. Dementia is a complex disease marked by a range of signs and symptoms. Dementia symptoms may vary depending on the type of disease and from person to person. Symptoms of dementia disease are as follows:
- Memory loss, one of the most common symptoms, can manifest itself as difficulty remembering especially recent events.
- The person may often have difficulty remembering where they are or newly learned information.
- Other symptoms associated with dementia include decreased ability to think, difficulty making decisions, lack of attention, and decreased mental flexibility.
- The person may have difficulty finding words, have difficulty making sense of sentences, or experience a decrease in speaking ability.
- Symptoms such as tremors, loss of balance and difficulty walking may occur.
- Irritability, suspiciousness, irritability, and social withdrawal may occur.
- The person may need help with basic activities such as preparing meals, dressing, and bathing.
Are Alzheimer’s and dementia the same thing?
Alzheimer’s and dementia are not the same thing. Dementia is an umbrella term that covers multiple diseases. Alzheimer’s is the most common disease that causes dementia. The differences between Alzheimer’s and dementia are:
- Dementia causes impairment in memory, thinking, language and behavior. It is usually seen in older ages and is a progressive disease, and there is no definitive treatment.
- Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia. The disease begins with memory loss and affects other cognitive functions over time. There is no definitive treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, which is a progressive disease.
Is there a cure for dementia?
There is no definitive cure for dementia, but there are many treatments that can help manage symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. Medications that strengthen memory and thinking and help protect brain cells from damage can generally be used in the treatment of dementia. Lifestyle changes are also important in treating dementia.
Lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep can help preserve memory and cognitive function. Cognitive stimulation therapy may also be used to treat dementia. Treatment of dementia will depend on the individual symptoms and needs of the patient. The doctor will work with the patient to create a treatment plan.
This information is for informational purposes only. If you have a medical question, it is important to consult your doctor.