Recognizing the Signs of Dementia

Dementia is what physicians use as a term to describe as a combination of illnesses involving one's memory, communication, behavior, and learning. Dementia is a steady loss of one's brain functions, and it is a progressive disease with no known cure. Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia, a type of the disease brought about by a series of small strokes, are the two major causes of degenerative dementia. There are some types of dementia that are treatable, caused by such occurrences as brain tumors, thyroid conditions, infections, and fluid on the brain. Dementia is very rare in people under the age of sixty, and as you grow older, your chances of getting dementia increase in relation to your age.

As there is no cure for dementia, the objective of treatment is to reduce the affect of its symptoms. There are a variety of dementia symptoms, and early recognition of them may lead to a better quality of life. Most forms of dementia are not preventable; the chances of vascular dementia afflicting you can be reduced by not smoking and attempting to control diabetes and high blood pressure. When two or more problems with a person's brain function are diagnosed, then dementia is often the culprit.

Dementia symptoms are many and varied. A progressive loss of memory is usually the first symptom to appear. This can be followed by the inability of the person to concentrate on matters at hand, a decrease in problem-solving skills, and a display of poor judgment. The failure to suddenly recognize familiar people and objects is a sign of possible dementia, as is an alteration in one's sleep pattern, such as insomnia. Hallucinations and delusions are dementia related symptoms, as is the impairment of the motor system, to the point where the afflicted person can not do such common things as draw a geometric figure, get dressed by themselves, or imitate others when instructed to do so.

Recognize that a loss of abstract thinking, an inability to generalize, and a person who all of a sudden is unable to learn new things is a warning sign of dementia. Those with dementia have a hard time or find it almost impossible to do some or all of the following- understand speech, read, write, form words, name objects, or properly pronounce words. They will use a wrong word while speaking, be unable to repeat something they have heard, or will repeat their own words without knowing it. Some with dementia will be unable to control their tempers, be self-centered, stubborn, and be incapable of making a decision, or show signs of depression and anxiety. Dementia can cause them to withdraw from society, lose their jobs, or decrease their interest in everyday life. Physical symptoms of dementia include great trouble swallowing and incontinence.

There are a number of different tests, such as MRIs, blood tests, thyroid tests, and urinalysis, that can tell medical personnel how severe a patient's dementia is. The symptoms of dementia can be treated with the actual cause of the disease in mind. Any medical condition, such as nutritional disorders, oxygen depleting maladies like anemia, infections, and heart problems that can cause dementia need to be treated. Behavioral problems brought on by dementia can be somewhat alleviated or controlled by medications such as anti-psychotic drugs, mood stabilizers, and some stimulants.

Those with dementia may need to be constantly monitored in the home or in an institutional setting. Families with loved one suffering from dementia may make use of nurses' aides, volunteer programs, homemakers, support groups, and family counseling, as the disease presents a plethora of problems for them. Wherever the dementia patient resides, they need to be surrounded with familiar objects and people. To avoid further disorientation at night, lights should be left on, and their daily schedule should be kept as simple as possible. Dangerous or inappropriate behavior often comes with dementia, especially in advanced cases, but behavior modification, which is the rewarding of appropriate behavior, can lessen the threat somewhat. When dementia is diagnosed in a person, it is prudent to take care of legal matters while the person is still able to make rational decisions.

The word dementia in Latin means "irrationality" and the disease is a frustrating one for those with it and for those caring for anyone afflicted with it. With today's longer life spans, dementia is becoming diagnosed more and more; 2% of 65-69 year olds are affected, rising to 20% for 85-90 year olds and 33% of those over the age of 90. The strain dementia can put on a family is at times overwhelming, and it is important to be able to recognize this disease in its early stages so as to be able to help its victims have a chance at a higher quality of life.