Dementia is a chronic disorder that affects mental processes, leading to memory problems, impaired reasoning, and personality changes. It's estimated that there are more than three million cases of dementia each year in the United States. Trouble with memory does not necessarily mean you have dementia, as this is a common occurrence as people age. However, if memory loss is coupled with other symptoms and seems to worsen over time, this could be a sign of a dementia-causing disease or condition that requires diagnosis for proper treatment.
Symptoms
The symptoms of dementia will vary depending on the cause and the part of the brain that is being affected. Still, the most common signs and symptoms can be grouped into cognitive and psychological changes. Cognitive changes will include memory loss, disorientation, loss of coordination or motor functions, and difficulties with communicating, completing complex tasks, and planning or organizing. Psychological changes can include inappropriate behavior, hallucinations, agitation, paranoia, inability to reason, and personality disturbances.
Causes
Dementia is characterized by damage to the nerve cells in the brain, which can occur in several different areas. Additionally, there are different types of dementia-causing diseases and disorders. The most common include:
- Progressive dementias: This includes types of dementia that worsen over time and are not reversible. The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, representing 60% of all cases of dementia. Vascular dementia is the second most common type and is a result of brain damage after the blood vessels in the brain have been blocked because of a stroke or a heart condition. Some forms of progressive dementia are linked to certain genetic mutations, such as Frontotemporal dementia, which tends to occur at a younger age than most types of the condition and is characterized by the degeneration of nerve cells in the frontal and temporal lobes.
- Disorders linked to dementia: There are some disorders in which dementia can be a symptom or side effect of the condition. These include Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, or a traumatic brain injury.
- Dementia-like conditions: Conditions that mimic the symptoms of dementia can include infections and immune disorders, metabolic problems, nutritional deficiencies, reactions to certain medications, subdural hematomas, poisoning, brain tumors, normal-pressure hydrocephalus, and anoxia. In some cases, these can be reversed if detected in time.
Since not all forms of dementia are permanent, it is important for a doctor to determine what exactly could be causing these symptoms so they can possibly be treated. If it is caused by Alzheimer’s or another disease that will worsen over time, early diagnosis is beneficial, allowing you to have more time to plan for the future and be able to participate in the decision making of your care.
Treatments
Although there is no cure for most types of dementia, there are medications and therapies that can be helpful for managing some symptoms, as well as slowing the development. Some common medications that are prescribed include cholinesterase inhibitors that work by boosting the levels of chemicals in the brain that are involved in judgment and memory. Another medication that boosts memory is called Namenda (memantine).
There are also other medications that can treat secondary symptoms of dementia, such as trouble sleeping. Additionally, occupational therapies can help you adjust to living with dementia by teaching you ways to adapt to daily life and coping behaviors as the condition changes.
