Dementia

 

Are you forgetting things like,

Where did you keep the keys? 

Are you unable to recall a related word? 

Have you forgotten a recent celebration or event?

Has this become a regular part of life?

Think about it as it could be the sign of developing dementia which simply refers to loss of memory. People suffering from dementia struggle more with language, thinking and problem solving skills. They are unable to recall what they said a moment ago.

Is it normal part of Aging?

No, it doesn’t affect the people with advancing age since most of the adults are living their lives normally as they are good at remembering things. But to an extent in certain people above 65 years of age, it's commonly seen.

So what are the causes of dementia?

Dementia is caused by damage to brain cells. When brain cells cannot communicate normally, thinking, behaviour and feelings can be affected.

Types of dementia

Dementia is a broader area and thus includes many different types.

Vascular dementia: It is caused by problems related to blood supply to the brain.

Alzheimer’s disease: It is caused by the build up of abnormal proteins such as amyloid, tau in and around brain cells.

Lewy body dementia: It affects motor control and movement.

Frontotemporal dementia: It affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain and thereby hindering behaviour, language and speech.

Mixed dementia: When dementia is caused due to more than one causes simultaneously , it is referred to as mixed dementia.

Signs and symptoms:

• Forgetting things frequently
• Unable to recall name of close acquaintances
• Unable to recall the most appropriate word in a conversation
• Forgetting old memories
• Becoming poor at thinking skills and cognitive abilities

What actually causes memory loss?

The brain region called the hippocampus is the centre of learning and memory in the brain. When the brain cells in this specific region are damaged, it triggers memory loss which leads to dementia and it’s more specific to Alzheimer’s disease.

Diagnosis:

Few ways to diagnose dementia include;

• Physical examination
• Laboratory tests
• Observing day to day behavioural changes
• Communication style
• Family history
• Medical history

What are the risk factors of dementia?

Age and genetics are two important risk factors.

Treatment:

Treatment of dementia is cause-specific. However, in advanced types of dementia, there is no cure still certain medications are available to manage it.

Can we manage dementia without drug therapy?

Yes. Some interesting activities can make people suffering from dementia feel energetic, such as;

• Memory enhancing exercises
• Art therapy
• Music therapy
• Aroma therapy
• Taking care of pets
• Playing with children
• Solving easy puzzles

Take away!

Don't forget the senior people in your home and neighbourhood as they seek your attention. Spend more time with them. Keep them happy. Talk to them and show interest in recalling past memories and events. It will also add to your learning and happiness as they are two way phenomena.

Thank you!