Dealing with Dementia
Dear Dr,
What is Dementia and how can one get the better of it? My
mother has been diagnosed with the disease which makes her terribly forgetful.
Doctor, please help with whatever information you have that can better her
situation.
Obianuju Anofuru,
Abakaliki,
Dear Obianuju,
Dementia is defined
as a chronic or persistent disorder of the mental processes caused by
brain disease or injury and marked by memory disorders, personality changes,
and impaired (inadequate, damaged, incompetent, deficient, diminished,
weakened) reasoning. Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability
severe enough to interfere with daily life. Memory loss is an example.
Alzheimer's Disease is the most common type of dementia. Dementia is not a
specific disease. It's an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms
associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to
reduce a person's ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer's disease
accounts for 60 to 80 percent of cases. Vascular dementia, which occurs after a
stroke, is the second most common dementia type. But there are many other
conditions that can cause symptoms of dementia, including some that are
reversible, such as thyroid problems and vitamin deficiencies. Dementia is
often incorrectly referred to as "senility" or "senile
dementia," which reflects the formerly widespread but incorrect belief
that serious mental decline is a normal part of aging. Dementia IS NOT A NORMAL
PART OF AGING.
How do you suspect or know you have dementia? Here are a
dozen-odd possible symptoms of dementia: Recent memory loss - a sign of this
might be asking the same question repeatedly. Difficulty completing familiar
tasks - for example, making a drink or cooking a meal. Problems communicating -
difficulty with language; forgetting simple words or using the wrong ones.
Disorientation - getting lost on a previously familiar street, or even in the
house, for example. Problems with abstract thinking - for instance, dealing
with money. Misplacing things - forgetting the location of everyday items such
as keys, or wallets, for example. Mood changes - sudden and unexplained changes
in outlook or disposition. Personality changes - perhaps becoming irritable,
suspicious or fearful. Loss of initiative - showing less interest in starting
something or going somewhere.
To find out what is causing dementia symptoms, you need to
undergo a thorough check-up with your doctor in order to determine what exactly
is causing these symptoms. The checkup may include: blood tests; mental health evaluations;
brain scans (only in some cases).
Doctors often can accurately diagnose the dementia symptoms
in 90 percent of cases. If you know someone who appears to be losing mental
abilities to a degree that interferes with daily activities and social
interactions, consult a doctor right away. First, the doctor will try to
authenticate the suspicion of Dementia and then try to distinguish whether it
is Alzheimer’s Disease or Vascular Dementia. Alzheimer’s and dementia symptoms
can overlap, but there can be some differences.
Both conditions can cause: a decline in the ability to
think; memory impairment; communication impairment. Alzheimer’s will cause
difficulty remembering recent events or conversations; apathy; depression;
impaired judgment; disorientation; confusion; behavioral changes; difficulty
speaking, swallowing, or walking in advanced stages of the disease. Dementia,
on the other hand, will share some of these symptoms, but they include or
exclude other symptoms that can help make a differential diagnosis. Lewy body
dementia (LBD), for example, has many of the same later symptoms as
Alzheimer’s. However, people with LBD but are more likely to experience initial
symptoms such as visual hallucinations, difficulties with balance, and sleep
disturbances. People with dementia due to Parkinson’s or Huntington’s disease
are more likely to experience involuntary movement in the early stages of the
disease. There are some medications and treatments that may help manage some of
the symptoms, so it’s important to seek help as soon as possible.
Treatment for dementia will depend on the exact cause and
type of dementia, but many treatments for dementia and Alzheimer’s will
overlap. Alzheimer’s treatment - No cure for Alzheimer’s is available, but
options to help manage symptoms of the disease include: medications for
behavioral changes, such as antipsychotics; medications for memory loss, which
include drugs of the class of cholinesterase inhibitors. Although cure, as has
been said is not in sight, there are wonderful complementary remedies that aim
to boost brain function or overall health, that can and do make a positive
difference. There are also medications for sleep changes. Call the help-lines
for further information.
Cheers
Dr.Caleb Bibbi Oluranti 08093142261; 08057441699; 08033466574; 08028240983
