| Dementia is not a disease itself, but rather a group of | | | | cellsin the brain such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and |
| symptoms that are caused by various diseases or | | | | Huntington's. |
| conditions. | | | | Symptoms of Dementia |
| Dementia is a slowly progressive brain disorder | | | | Some Symptoms of Dementia : |
| characterized by the loss of ability to think, reason and | | | | Confusion , severe |
| remember. In some cases, the dementia can be | | | | Decrease in problem-solving skills and judgment |
| treated and cured because the cause is treatable. In | | | | capability |
| some cases, although the person may appear to have | | | | Progressive memory loss |
| dementia, a severe depression can be causing the | | | | Hallucinations and delusions |
| symptoms. Examples of this include dementia caused | | | | Altered sensation or perception |
| by drugs or alcohol, or hormone or vitamin imbalances. | | | | Inability to concentrate |
| Because some causes of dementia can be cured or | | | | Lack of spontaneity |
| partially treated, it is very important that your doctor is | | | | Depression |
| thorough when making the diagnosis, so as not to miss | | | | Treatment of Dementia |
| potentially treatable conditions. The frequency of | | | | Dementia Treatment of people with progressive |
| "treatable" causes of dementia is believed to be about | | | | dementia aims to provide the best possible quality of |
| 10%. | | | | life for them and their carers. |
| Causes of Dementia | | | | Alzheimer's disease , Huntington's disease , Pick's |
| The common Causes of Dementia : | | | | disease, dementia of aging and traumatic injuries to the |
| Nutritional deficiencies, like vitamin B12 and folate | | | | brain are usually not amenable to treatment. |
| deficiency. | | | | Anti-convulsants may be effective in treating some |
| Toxic reactions, like excessive alcohol or drug use. | | | | behavioural disturbances. |
| Infections that affect the brain and spinal cord, such as | | | | Dementia generally gets worse with age but the |
| AIDS dementia complex and Creutzfeldt-Jakob | | | | development of symptoms can often be slowed with |
| disease. | | | | drugs or other treatments. |
| Certain types of hydrocephalus, an accumulation of | | | | Treatment of dementia usually aims to improve |
| fluid in the brain that can result from developmental | | | | memory and concentration, reduce psychiatric |
| abnormalities, infections, injury, or brain tumors. | | | | problems, and to improve the quality of life for both the |
| Kidney, liver, and lung diseases can all lead to dementia. | | | | patient and their family and carers. |
| Either a single severe head injury or longer term | | | | Anti-psychotic drugs may be prescribed for patients |
| smaller injuries, like in boxers. | | | | suffering from delusions or hallucinations. |
| Diseases that cause degeneration or loss of nerve | | | | |