Dementia and Associated Alzeimer’s Disease
Dementia is a state of mind characterized by a gradual but progressive loss of memory, thinking capability and judgment.
The reasoning power of the affected individual gets affected. he may be disoriented. All these contribute to problems in his day to day life.
There are many causes why a person may develop dementia. The common among them include-
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Dementia with lewy bodies
- Vascular dementia
- Hydrocephalus
- Huntington’s Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease
This is the commonest cause of dementia. Alzheimer is a degenerative disorder of the brain cells.
Due to unknown causes, the brain cells start dying gradually and prematurely. The nerve fibers and connections between different nerve cells is also affected.
This gradual death of brain cells may give symptoms like loss of memory, thinking and judgment.
The first to be affected is the cognitive function of the brain cells.
Affected individual may show poor judgment and have difficulty writing or even speaking.
Some also complain of mood instability.
Vascular Dementia
Some vascular event is associated with this type of dementia.
This is usually some kind of stroke, may be silent and hence went unnoticed by the patient. This practically means that a portion of the brain receives reduced blood supply, or sometimes, no blood supply for some time.
The exact symptoms would depend upon the area of the brain affected by the vascular event.
However, the first faculty to be affected is the ability to plan or make decisions.
Hydrocephalus
This is a condition where fluid gets built up in the brain tissue, exerting pressure over the near by brain tissue.
This pressure may interfere with the functional working of those brain tissues and dementia like symptoms may be present.
Dementia with Lewy bodies
Lewy bodies are microscopic deposits of proteins that get deposited in the brain tissue of patients suffering from this kind of dementia.
Patients may have blank out episodes. More than usual sleepiness or slowing of movements may be seen.
Parkinson’s disease
Around 50% to 80% of patients suffering from parkinsons may develop dementia. They also show the presence of lewi bodies in their brain.
The symptoms are also similar to those like dementia with lewy bodies.
Huntington’s Disease
This is a genetic disorder that may run in families. Symptoms express only after 30 to 40 years of age.
These include dementia of varying degrees.
