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UNDERSTANDING DEMENTIA SYMPTOMS, CAUSES AND TREATMENT OPTIONS
HIGHLIGHTS
Symptoms Types of Dementia Treatment
Dementia is a mental disorder that affects two or more core mental functions of an individual, such as memory, logical reasoning, language and ability to focus. As core mental functions are affected, it interferes with social or occupational functioning. Though most people believe that Dementia causes only memory loss, the fact is that if left unattended, the disorder can cripple the routine life of a patient, leading to immense frustration. To help understand Dementia better, in this post we discuss the symptoms, causes and available treatment options to help Dementia patients.
Symptoms Dementia is progressive which means the symptoms start to appear slowly and gradually get worse with time. The symptoms of Dementia may vary depending on the cause and the level of progression, however, notable symptoms that reflect a decline in cognitive ability include: Short-term memory loss Inability to carry out memory intensive tasks such as problem solving, reasoning, planning, organizing and even communicating.
Apart from cognitive changes, a Dementia patient is most likely to exhibit psychological changes such as: Depression Anxiety Apathy Mood Swings Agitation Hallucinations
Types of Dementia Dementia can be attributed to a number of factors such as age and disorders such as Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease. More often than not, people above the age of 60 years are most likely to develop a type of Dementia. Alzheimer’s is the most common type of Dementia that people develop, however, other types of Dementia also exist such as: 40
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Vascular
Lewy Body
Mixed
Vascular Dementia Vascular Dementia is the most common after Alzheimer’s and is mainly caused due to a damage to blood vessels in specific areas of the brain.
Lewy Body Dementia Lewy Body Dementia, as the name suggests, is caused due to lewy bodies, that are abnormal clumps of proteins found in the brain.
Mixed Dementia When Vascular Dementia, Lewy body Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease coexist in patients, the condition is called Mixed Dementia.
Treatment Though medical researchers are yet to find a permanent cure for Dementia, there are some treatments available to help a patient lead a normal life. Here are some of them.
Medications Cholinesterase inhibitors are used to boost the level of chemical messengers involved in memory and judgement. Although Cholinesterase inhibitors are primarily used for treating Alzheimer’s disease, they are effective in treating Vascular Dementia, Parkinson’s disease Dementia and Lewy body Dementia, too. Other than Cholinesterase inhibitors, Memantine is also prescribed for Dementia patients. It works by regulating the activity of chemical messengers responsible for memory and learning.
Therapy Cognitive Stimulation Therapy Cognitive Stimulation therapy helps strengthen memory, problem solving skills and language abilities of a Dementia patient. The therapy involves taking part in physical activities and exercises and is mostly effective for patients with mild or moderate levels of Dementia.
Modification Therapy Though this is not a therapy, it acts like one. Modifying the surroundings of a Dementia patient can have a profound impact on their overall mental health. This may include hiding objects such as knives and tools that pose a physical threat to a patient or using a monitoring device that alerts you whenever Dementia starts showing any effect.
Behavioral Therapy Behavioral therapy aims to combat behavioral problems that stem from Dementia such as depression, anxiety, mood swings and delusional thinking. It is supervised by a healthcare professional or a caregiver; however, family members living with the Dementia patient can also conduct behavioral therapy sessions.
Prognosis Dementia is a disorder that progresses over time. The rate of progression can, however, be slowed down with medications and cognitive therapies. Dementia patients also require 24/7 care, given those bouts of frustration and unpredictable behavior. When someone in the family is diagnosed with Dementia, other commitments may take a backseat as the primary motive would then be to care for the person and help them lead a normal life. A caregiver from any reputable home health agencies in Dallas can help you meet the objective.
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