Dementia is not a disease; rather, it is a syndrome whose symptoms are common to several brain diseases. If someone you know has been diagnosed with dementia, it means he/she is suffering from a chronic brain disease that has been affecting their thinking, memory, and behavior, he/she should opt for In Home Care For Elderly. While it gets worse over a period of time, medication can help slow down the process.
What is Dementia?
Dementia is a collective term that describes symptoms of cognitive decline such as impairment in communication, memory, and thinking. While it is not a part of normal aging, the likelihood of people suffering from dementia increase with age.
Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common types of dementia.
What Causes Dementia?
Dementia is caused by damage to brain cells which interferes with the ability of the brain cells to communicate. When the brain cells are unable to communicate normally; thinking, behavior and communication can be altered.
Some of the other causes of dementia include:
- A vascular disorder which affects the blood circulation in the brain
- Infections of the central nervous system
- Traumatic brain injury caused by an accident or concussion
- Degenerative neurological disease
- Certain types of hydrocephalus
- Excessive use of alcohol
Different types of dementia are associated with damage to particular types of brain cells in a particular region of the brain.
Symptoms of Dementia
Dementia symptoms can vary depending on the damaged brain cell. Some of the common signs and symptoms include:
Cognitive Changes
- Difficulty with coordination and motor function
- Memory loss, often noticed by someone else
- Difficulty in reasoning or problem-solving
- Confusion and disorientation
- Difficulty in communication
- Difficulty in planning and organizing things
- Difficulty in handling complex tasks
Psychological Changes
- Depression
- Inappropriate behavior
- Personality changes
- Anxiety
- Sudden and unexplained mood change
- Agitation
- Loss of initiative
- Hallucination
- Paranoia
Fast Facts On Dementia
- Approximately 47.5 million suffer from dementia all over the world
- Over a tenth of people aged above 65 years suffer from it
- One new case of dementia is diagnosed every 4 seconds
Dementia Risk Factors
There are many factors that can eventually lead to Dementia. While some factors such as age cannot be changed, other factors that can be addressed to reduce the risk are:
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Heavy alcohol usage
- Diabetes
- Late-life depression
- Sleep apnea
- Smoking
Complication Caused by Dementia
Dementia often affects the body system and its ability to function. Thus, it can lead to:
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Increased risk of choking
- Inadequate nutrition
- Inability to perform tasks
- Driving, cooking or other tasks can poses danger
- Late-stage dementia can result in coma
Call a Doctor At Home
If the patient is unable to visit a doctor owing to his medical condition, you can call a doctor at home. Utah Doctors At Home offers in home health care services to help seniors receive high-quality health care service in the comfort of their home.
Dementia treatment depends on its cause. While in some cases of dementia there is no cure or treatment, in other cases, drug treatment can temporarily improve the symptoms. Making changes in your diet, indulging in physical activities and quitting smoking and alcohol also helps in improving the symptoms.
Researches have also suggested that people with low level of vitamin D are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, make sure you get enough sun exposure and eat food rich in vitamin D.
Call Utah Doctors At Home today to know about admission details.
