Dementia is a package of signs and symptoms which include personality change, impaired intellectual functions, and memory loss which come as a result of trauma to the brain or disease (Godbolt et al. S247). Unfortunately, these changes severely affect independence, relationships, and daily living. However, they do not count as part and parcel of normal aging. There are numerous forms of dementia which include vascular and mixed dementia but Alzheimer’s disease happens to be the most common type (Mitchell 443). A person affected by dementia portrays a noticeable decline in remembering, learning, communication and problem-solving. Often, these changes vary in their occurrence such that they either take place quickly or slowly over time.
Dementia’s progression and outcome differ. The variation is determined largely by the dementia type and the brain area affected (Warren 5). Despite the diagnosis, there are numerous things that can be done to aid in slowing and preventing its symptoms and ultimately enjoy a life that is rewarding. The common signs and symptoms of dementia include loss of skills valuable in communication, challenges when it comes to abstract thinking, loss of memory, impaired judgment, affected persons behaving inappropriately, neglect of one’s personal care and safety, paranoia, hallucinations, and agitation. People affected by dementia are likely to ask the same questions repeatedly, be disoriented when in familiar places or get lost, unable to follow given directions, have challenges when it comes to routine tasks, have challenges in recognizing familiar people, neglect their hygiene, nutrition, and personal safety.
Changes that occur with aging are quite normal which include fading of the hair color, skin becoming wrinkled, and mild memory loss that is short term. However, memory loss that is severe and rapid is not part of the normal aging process (Godbolt et al. S253). It is worth noting that a large number of people are able to preserve their brainpower as they become older. Mainly, this is done by ensuring they are active physically, and by making healthy lifestyle choices.
For a normal brain, speed, and mass are likely to decline during adulthood. However, the brain is in a continuous process of forming connections that are vital throughout life. In the case where disease, injury, or inflammations cause the connections to be lost, neurons die and dementia is likely to develop (Mitchell 439). Early intervention of the process can dramatically prevent the outcome where one loses himself, which can be very traumatic. For a long time, scientists have been on the search for the various origins of dementia. Although genetics have been found to increase the risk, lifestyle, hereditary, and environmental factors also play a role.
Medical conditions which are known to attack connections and brain cells progressively are one of the things that cause dementia (Mitchell 440). It can also be caused by dehydration, nutrition that is very poor and certain substances such as alcohol and drugs. Treatment of various conditions such as disorders of the metabolism, insulin resistance and deficiency of vitamins are likely to reduce or eliminate the symptoms associated with dementia. Other factors that cause dementia include infections that in one way or the other affect the person’s central nervous system, repeated or consequent brain injuries, medical conditions that rob the brain of its vital nutrients and affect oxygen flow (Godbolt et al. S250). A good example of these medical conditions is a stroke.
All types of dementia are characterized by the cognitive decline, which affects daily living. For the purpose of good treatment being offered, it is essential to pinpoint the dementia type specifically. Dementia is involved in more than fifty different conditions whereby the most common of them are vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Almost two-thirds of the diagnosed cases can be accounted for by Alzheimer’s disease (Mitchell 445). In the case where dementia symptoms are as a result the disease, more debilitating can be delayed by being placed under medication. Independence can be prolonged when the early diagnosis has been made.
Warning signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include challenges in completing daily tasks, confusion when it comes to time and place, a judgment that is impaired, challenges in understanding images that are visual in nature, difficulties in solving problems and withdrawal from social activities and work (Godbolt et al. S246). Other lower forms of dementia include Creutzfeldt - Jakob disease whose progression is rapid and is accompanied by involuntary movements and mental deterioration, Huntington’s disease which begins during mid-life and causes movements that are involuntary to the affected persons, Picks Disease which affects behavior, orientation, and personality, and Lewy Body Dementia whose symptoms are similar to Alzheimer’s disease.
Mild Cognitive impairment (MCI) refers to an early form of dementia. Its difference with full-blown dementia is that those affected by MCI have the capability of leading their lives without having to rely on others (Warren 2). Most people with MCI are likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia. It is still hard to fathom fully why for some the progression of the disease is inevitable while to others it is stable (Godbolt et al. S245). However, the risk of developing Alzheimer’s is dependent on the degree of memory impairment. MCI’s symptoms include frequent forgetting of appointments, conversations or event, challenges when it comes to following a conversation flow, challenges when it comes to remembering the name of acquaintances that are new and frequent misplacing of things.
Consequently, it is obvious that dementia is not part of the normal aging process. Despite memory loss due to aging being associated with people above the age of 65, memory loss associated with dementia is more noticeable and is accompanied by confusion and mood changes (Warren 3). Dementia may be a tough condition but is manageable and people affected can lead normal lives. Even though it makes it harder to do certain things, with the right knowledge it is possible for affected persons to get the very best out of their lives.
Work Cited
Godbolt, Alison K., et al. "Systematic Review of the Risk of Dementia and Chronic Cognitive Impairment after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Results of the International Collaboration on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Prognosis." Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation vol. 95, no. 3, 2014, pp. S245-S256.
Mitchell, A. J., et al. "Risk of Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment in Older People with Subjective Memory Complaints: Meta‐Analysis." Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica vol. 130, no. 6, 2014, pp. 439-451.
Warren, Gay Lynn. "Nonpharmacological Approaches in Dementia Care." (2016): 2-5.
