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Dementia
is a collective name for progressive degenerative
brain syndromes which affect memory, thinking, behaviour
and emotion. Alzheimer's disease is the most common
cause of dementia. Symptoms of dementia may include:
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loss
of memory
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difficulty
in finding the right words or understanding
what people are saying
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difficulty
in performing previously routine tasks
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personality
and mood changes
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There
are a number of diseases that cause the symptoms of
dementia as a result of the changes they have on the
brain and the ultimate loss of nerve cells (neurons).
The most common causes include:
It
is not currently understood why people develop dementia
but there are many factors that have been suggested
to have an effect on the risk of developing dementia.
Some of these include age, genes, education, alcohol
and head injury.
Delirium.
A condition common in older people, as a result of
other illnesses or from the adverse effects of medications.
The person may become confused and forgetful but unlike
Alzheimer's disease, the person with delirium has
an altered level of consciousness ie. they do not
appear alert.
Depression.
Another condition that is common among older people
and often mistaken for Alzheimer's disease is depression.
It is usually characterised by severe and prolonged
mood changes. It has often been referred to as "pseudo-dementia".
Drug
Reactions.
Every drug consumed has an effect on the body. As
we age our bodies metabolise drugs differently to
when the body was younger. Therefore older people
are more susceptible to adverse drug reactions. Over
the counter medications such as panadol, cough medicines,
vitamin supplements and herbal medicines can all adversely
react with prescription drugs. These reactions may
present the same symptoms as seen in Alzheimer's disease,
such as short term memory loss, confusion and disorientation.
A
person with dementia may also experience delirium,
depression or adverse drug reactions during the course
of their dementia. It is therefore crucial to have
regular medical assessments to minimise the chance
that other treatable conditions are further debilitating
the person with dementia.
DEMENTIA
IS NOT A NORMAL PART OF AGEING. It knows no social,
economic, ethnic or geographical boundaries. Although
each person will experience dementia in their own
way, eventually those affected are unable to care
for themselves and need help with all aspects of daily
life. There is currently no cure.
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