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| General
Illness Information |
Common
Name: |
Dementia |
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Medical
Term: |
None Specified |
| Description: |
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Dementia is a brain disorder
characterized by a gradual and progressive mental
deterioration
Memory loss is most common, but other mental faculties
may be affected including attention, judgment, comprehension,
orientation, learning, calculation, problem solving, mood and
behavior.
Agitation or withdrawal, hallucinations, delusions,
insomnia and loss of inhibitions are common. There are many
different causes of dementia but it is essential to exclude
treatable causes. |
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. Alzheimer’s disease is
the commonest cause of dementia. It affects 3 to 4
million people in the U.S.
Dementia is not a
normal part of aging As people age ,
changes in the brain cause some memory loss, especially short
term memory loss and also some decline in learning ability
.However, these normal changes do not affect ability to
function.
Dementia is a much more serious decline in mental
ability and is also progressive.
Second most common cause of
dementia is successive minor strokes. These small strokes
gradually destroy brain tissue and lead to dementia. |
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Dementia is a major cause of
disability in the elderly.
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| Causes: |
Dementia is due to degeneration
and loss of gray matter in the brain. The most common cause of
dementia is Alzheimer's disease. The exact cause of
Alzheimer's Disease is not certain. Genetic factors may play a role- the disease seems to run in
some families and is associated with some specific gene
abnormalities. Research
into the genetic factors has implicated chromosome 21 as the gene
responsible for the development of familial Alzheimer’s
disease.
Abnormality of
Chromosome 21 (trisomy 21) is also responsible for Down’s
syndrome. In fact
patients with Down’s syndrome have a higher risk for developing
Alzheimer’s disease by age 50.
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The second most common cause of
dementia is successive minor strokes, which gradually destroy
brain tissue and lead to dementia. This condition occurs most
commonly in patients with diabetes and high blood pressure and
is due to cerebral atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries
in the brain).
Dementia can also occur as a result
of a brain injury or after an episode of cardiac arrest.
People who suffer repeated head injuries e.g. boxers, often
develop dementia.
Secondary dementias- also referred
to as "reversible dementias" because the cognitive impairment
may reverse with treatment of the primary disorder, are listed
below:
Infections such as syphilis,
HIV and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease; Alcoholism;
Chronic poisoning e.g. mercury; hypothyroidism; vitamin
B12 deficiency; normal pressure hydrocephalus and certain
medications.; Inherited
disorders such as
Huntington's Disease and Parkinson's disease; Brain tumor .
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| Prevention: |
- Seeking early medical treatment for underlying diseases such as syphilis, hypertension, alcoholism, and diabetes may prevent dementia. Vitamin B12 deficiency, and hypothyroidism if untreated can lead to Dementia.
- Protecting oneself from head injury may also prevent dementia. Wear seat belts in vehicles. Wear protective headgear for riding bicycles, motorcycles and participating in contact sports. Don't drink or use mind-altering drugs. Do not drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Recently, some herbal supplements such as Ginkgo Biloba have elicited interest in the prevention of dementia.
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| Signs
& Symptoms |
- Forgetfulness, especially of recent events. The ability to keep track of time and the ability to recognize people, places and objects diminish.
- People with dementia have difficulty finding and using the right words and have difficulty with abstract thinking (e.g. working with numbers)
- Speech pattern changes- they use simpler words or use words incorrectly or may have difficulty finding the correct words.
- Loss of interest in normal activities. Avoid complex activities such as balancing a checkbook, reading and working. Some people with dementias are very good at hiding their deficiencies by avoiding complex tasks.
- Disorientation, especially at night.
- Personality changes such as increased anxiety, depression and also unpredictable, sometimes violent, behavior.
- Unpredictable, sometimes violent, behavior.
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| Risk Factors |
- Excess alcohol consumption.
- Use of mood-altering drugs- such as cocaine, LSD or mescaline, or glue stiffing.
- Family history of Alzheimer's disease.
- Chemical or environmental exposure to heavy metals.
- Diabetes, high blood pressure and atherosclerosis
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