Information About Dementia
We Have to Know about the Dementia
- Dementia is a pattern of mental decline caused by different diseases or conditions
First Aid
How to test for the level of consciousness and memory loss
- Ask the date, year and time as well as the names of all the people involved in the accident
- Ask the person to recite both the months of the year and the days of the week backward
- Recite four digits and ask the victim to repeat them forward and backward. Ask again 5 minutes later. Ask for details about current events
How to check for coordination
- Ask the person to perform a series of simple tasks, such as walking in a straight line, buttoning a shirt and so on
Causes of Dementia
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Stroke
- Lewy body disease, which causes neurons in the brain to degenerate
- Traumatic head injury
- Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
- Alcohol abuse
- Huntington’s disease and Pick’s disease
- Brain abscess
- Multiple sclerosis
In rare cases, dementia is caused by a treatable condition, and it may be partially or entirely reversed if the condition is diagnosed and treated early:
- Depression
- Adverse reactions to drugs
- Infections, such as syphilis or fungal meningitis
- Metabolic conditions, such as deficiencies of vitamin B12, folate or thyroid hormone
Do’s and Don’ts-Dementia
- Dementia caused by stroke — Monitor and control your blood pressure, exercise every day and eat a balanced diet, maintain a healthy body weight
- Alcohol-related dementia — Limit the amount of alcohol you drink
- Traumatic dementia — Avoid head injury by always using seat belts and helmets
- Some infection-related dementias — Avoid high-risk sexual behavior
- Vitamin-deficiency dementia — Make sure your diet has enough B vitamins, especially vitamin B12
- Hormone-related dementia — Take a blood test called TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) to make sure your thyroid is functioning properly
Signs & Symptoms of Dementia
- Symptoms of dementia emerge slowly, get worse over time and limit the person’s ability to function
- Memory loss
- Have trouble with complex mental tasks such as driving, knowing what day it is and learning new things
- Attention, judgment, problem-solving, mood and behavior also may change
- Have difficulty speaking in full sentences, recognizing his or her surroundings, recognizing other people, or handling personal care, such as bathing
- May experience hallucinations, delusions, agitation, social withdrawal and insomnia
Medical advice for Dementia
See your doctor if you have any concern about your memory or if you or a loved one is having more difficulty recently with any of the following:
- Learning and remembering new information
- Handling complex tasks, such as preparing a meal
- Reasoning
- Orientation, such as knowing the day of the week or the time of day
- Language, including finding words to express thoughts
Risk factors of Dementia
- Alzheimer’s disease
Treatment for Dementia
- Dementia caused by diseases such as underactive thyroid and vitamin B12 deficiency can be reversed by treating these conditions
- Vascular dementia- People may show a less mental decline if their blood pressure is controlled, they stop smoking, lower LDL (“bad” cholesterol), exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight
Self-care for Dementia
People with dementia that cannot be reversed need care.
An important aspect of care include
- Familiar surroundings, people and routines, because too much change can cause confusion and agitation
- Bright, active environments to help focus the person’s attention and keep him or her oriented to the environment
- Safe environments so that the person cannot be hurt or get lost if he or she wanders away
- Physical exercise to improve balance and general good health
- Appropriate therapies, including music, art, and occupational therapy, to provide stimulation and improve control of muscles
Investigations for Dementia
- MRI
- CT Scans
- Blood Tests
