Dementia is a group of relatively serious mental and psychological problems with cognitive impairment, which is common in the elderly. The older you are, the higher the prevalence rate, which is mainly manifested in intellectual decline , decreased social life ability, and disordered
speech and behavior . In severe cases, clinical manifestations of certain severe mental illness
symptoms may appear
It is increasingly being taken seriously in modern society. The elderly themselves have a decline in various functions, especially brain function. Therefore, when you find that some elderly friends have a decline in memory and a decline in their ability to live a daily life at home, you must be careful to see if there are early signs of dementia.
It is an umbrella term that refers to a range of symptoms associated with a decline in cognitive abilities. In layman’s terms, it means a person’s ability to remember past events/make plans/analyze and solve problems. Alzheimer’s is a specific type of dementia. There are many other types of dementia that do not fall under the umbrella of Alzheimer’s.
1. Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive dementia. Abnormal protein deposits damage nerve cells, leading to a decline in the ability to think, reason, plan and remember. The first signs are memory loss, personality changes, mood swings, and getting lost in familiar places. Slowly, it may become more difficult to carry out daily life activities and cope with a changing environment. If the disease progresses, tissue in the brain shrinks, making it difficult to communicate.
2. Lewy body dementia
The symptoms of Lewy body dementia are similar to those of Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, Lewy body dementia can cause abnormal movements. If an older person has Lewy body dementia, you may notice that they move slowly or unsteadily when they walk. In addition to cognitive changes, there may be visual hallucinations, balance problems, tremors or difficulty swallowing, as well as repeated falls, changes in posture, and loss of coordination.
3. Vascular dementia
Vascular dementia refers to cognitive decline associated with a stroke or other types of blood vessel problems in the brain. These problems reduce the amount of blood flowing to the brain, depriving brain tissue of adequate oxygen and causing damage. Elderly people with high blood pressure, diabetes or other chronic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases should pay special attention to following their doctor’s instructions to control their conditions. These diseases cause blood clots or narrowing of blood vessels, increasing the risk of stroke and other vascular problems.
4. Frontotemporal dementia
Frontotemporal dementia is caused by changes in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. It differs from other forms of dementia in that symptoms usually begin between the ages of 40 and 65. Frontotemporal dementia often causes changes in personality and behavior.
5. Parkinson’s disease and dementia
People with Parkinson’s disease may develop dementia due to changes in brain structure and function. Although many symptoms of Parkinson’s disease dementia are similar to those produced by other types of dementia, Parkinson’s disease can cause tremors or difficulty walking, which can have a greater impact on daily life.
6. Mixed dementia
If there are two or more types of dementia, it is called mixed dementia. The symptoms of mixed dementia vary depending on several factors, including the types of dementia you have and how advanced they are.
7. Huntington’s disease
Huntington’s disease is a genetic disorder that develops symptoms in many people between the ages of 30 and 50. It causes the loss of nerve cells in the brain, which can lead to personality changes, forgetfulness, involuntary movements and other symptoms. If you have Huntington’s disease, it can be difficult to stay organized and multitask, such as making meals and managing finances and bills.
8. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
CJD is caused by prions, a type of protein that causes other proteins in the brain to fold abnormally, causing them to accumulate in brain tissue. Prion diseases can lead to rapidly progressive dementia, as well as muscle stiffness, confusion, hallucinations, difficulty speaking, and trouble walking. Fortunately, CJD and other prion diseases are very rare.
9. Reversible dementia
Normal pressure hydrocephalus, metabolic dementia, brain tumors, poisoning, lack of oxygen, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, and subdural hematoma are some of the diseases that may cause dementia. If the disease is well treated, dementia caused by damage to the brain is usually reversible.