Dementia: symptoms, causes, risk factors, and treatment options

Dementia is not a disease that is distinct and particular. Rather, dementia encompasses a disease that is collective of symptoms that have an impact on memory, thinking as well as social capabilities in a rigorous and severe manner to the extent that it hampers with functioning on an everyday basis. Dementia points toward issues with at least two functionalities of the brain such as loss of memory and impaired decision making or language and the incapacity to undertake a number of daily activities such as getting lost while walking or driving and even incapability to pay bills (Dementia). However, it is imperative to note that in as much as memory loss is a part of dementia it does not necessarily imply that having memory loss alone is suffering from dementia. Memory loss to some extent is part and parcel of old-age or advanced years.

The symptoms of dementia differ with regards to the cause of the disease. However, common symptoms and signs can be classified into psychological changes and cognitive changes. The former include changes in personality, incapacity to reason, having paranoia and hallucinations and also being agitated for most of the times. The latter on the other hand include loss of memory, finding it difficult to communicate, issues with disorientation for instance becoming lost easily, having trouble coordinating, planning and organizing. This disease encompasses damaging of the nerve cells within several different areas of the brain. Dementia may impact individuals in different manners reliant on the part of the brain that is affected (Dementia). These collective symptoms which become dementias can be categorized into different ways and more often than not are classified with regards to their common factors such as brain region that is affected or whether they become severe as time progresses. Others which come about due to a reaction to medication or due to an infection that cannot be treated (Dementia).

Causal Factors, Risk Factors, Prevention and Medication

There are several factors which cause dementia. Some of these factors, for instance age, cannot be altered while other can be taken into consideration to limit the risk level. As one ages, the risk levels of vascular dementia, Alzheimer's as well as other kinds of dementias increase significantly, particularly when one gets to 65 years and older. Nevertheless, dementia is not normality in aging and can also affect in young individuals. The risk of dementia is hereditary and therefore increases the risk of developing the ailment. Conversely, several individuals with a family history do not ever develop symptoms whereas numerous persons devoid of a family history end up doing so. If one has specific genetic transformations, then he or she is at considerably greater risk of suffering from certain kinds of dementia. Medical examinations and assessments to ascertain whether one has certain genetic mutations are existent and obtainable (Dementia). Presently, there are no particular medications or treatments that have been ascertained or confirmed to moderate the probability of developing dementia. Nevertheless, there are some promising developments.

Risk factors for developing heart disease also heighten the risk of developing all kinds of dementia. Some of these risk factors are smoking, ingesting too much alcohol, overweight and lack of physical activity, and also high blood pressure. As a result, it would appear probable that undertaking a number of things to change these risk factors may lessen one's risk of developing dementia. Another aspect of reducing this risk is ensuring that the brain is active which encompasses reading books, playing instruments, learning a new language and also undertaking a new hobby (Memory Loss and Dementia). Currently, numerous research and studies are being undertaken to find cures which may help in preventing dementia. Some of these include medications for high blood pressure, omega-3 fatty acids and also exercises which train the brain and make it active. However, so far there is yet to be substantial proof from any of these studies.

Conclusion

When the causal factor that brings about the dementia cannot be cured then the physician works with the patient as well as the caregivers to come up with a strategy to make his or her life become relaxing and easier. In addition, it is deemed necessary to consider seeking information regarding accessible palliative care programs (Dementia Treatment Overview). These programs can be beneficial in terms of improving the quality of life for the patient for a long time before their demise. These programs encompass offering medication which improve the functionalities of the brain as well as the moods, handing out guidelines on how the patient can manage life every day for as long as possible and also offering ideas on giving counseling and support which are very important in the early phases of dementia. A number of times, treating the causing factor of the disease helps the dementia. For instance, the individual might take medication to treat depression, or also alter or even stop taking medication which causes loss of memory and also brings confusion. The individual might also have an operation to remove a tumor in the brain and also get treatments for conditions which are reversible.

It is imperative to note that in as much as individuals with dementia suffer from impaired thinking skills their emotions do not get affected. However, their emotions do heighten and in the end become frustrated. Its expected of them to having changes in moods ranging from rage to extreme sorrow as the insufficiencies in the cognitive abilities increase. It is also important to take note that as these emotions span out of control, the greater the effects of their symptoms and therefore it is important to ensure that these individuals remain calm so as to be able to control their symptoms (Hardy).

The advice given by the National Institute of Health to those that give care to patients in order for them to sustain their peak capacities is that they ought not to talk them down as they need to maintain their self-respect and self-esteem. They also ought not to give them criticism as they already feel weak and powerless and condemnation will only intensify their confusion. Another piece of advice given is that they ought to give the patients choices as it is imperative for them to have a sense of control and in addition it boosts functionality of the brain. It is also important to the caregivers to offer an explanation of what they are doing on a daily basis because as much as it might seem normal it can be confusing for the individual suffering from dementia (Hardy).

In accordance to suggestions handed out by the New York State Department of Health, caregivers in residential institutions such as nursing homes ought to implement a socialization method as an approach for care. Patients suffering from dementia more often than not react positively towards treatment which links them to abilities and capacities that they previously had in the early stages of their life. This department recommends that procedural memories contrasted with episodic memory are more accommodating in sustaining a longer life and that which is of more quality (Hardy). Patient engagement with regards to exposure and conversation concerning past abilities might be of assistance in reconnecting the patient to the individual that he or she was in the past.