Dementia

Dementia is a problem in the brain, making it hard for the patient to remember a person, learn and communicate. After a while , this makes it difficult to manage the person himself. Dementia can also cause human mood and personality changes. Before memory loss and trouble to think properly may bother the person who has dementia. Later, disruptive behavior and other problems can begin.

My mom starts having dementia too, she lives in the past sometimes and compares everything with former times. everything from back than comes to the surface and she talks about it for a long period of time. Well, in former times it was so and so. also her personality changes like the wind. she can get rude, than like a little kid.
When dementia appears the higher mental functions of the patient are involved initially. Eventually, in the later stages, the person may not know what day of the week, month or year it is, she may not know where she is, and might not be able to identify the people around her.

Dementia is significantly more common among elderly people. However, it can affect adults of any age.

What are the symptoms of dementia?
Memory loss - the patient may forget his way back home from the shops. He/She may forget names and places. He/She may find it hard to remember what happened earlier on during the day.

Moodiness - the patient may become more and more moody as parts of the brain that control emotion become damaged. Moods may also be affected by fear and anxiety - the patient is frightened about what is happening to her/him.

Communicative difficulties - the affected person finds it harder to talk read and/or write as they sometimes do not understand what we want from him/her.

As the dementia progresses, the patient's ability to carry out everyday tasks diminishes and he may not be able to look after himself.


My mother is seventy two years when started with dementia symptoms. I find it easier on everyone, to just agree with her in everything she says. It's heart breaking to see her so confused but at this stage of her life, making her comfortable and loving her is what they deserve after they did everything for us. I love you so much mummy and will continue to pray for you so that your current condition is not getting worst..amen...

Diseases that cause dementia
Alzheimer's disease - This is by far the most common cause of dementia. The chemistry and structure of the brain of a person with Alzheimer's disease changes and his brain cells die prematurely.

Stroke (Vascular problems) - this means problems with blood vessels (veins and arteries). Our brain needs a good supply of oxygen-rich blood. If this supply is undermined in any way our brain cells could die - causing symptoms of vascular dementia. Symptoms may appear suddenly, or gradually. A major stroke will cause symptoms to appear suddenly while a series of mini strokes will not.


What is the treatment for Dementia?In the majority of cases dementia is incurable. Researchers are making inroads into treatments that may slow down dementia's progress. Cholinestaerase inhibitors are frequently administered during the early stages. Cognitive and behavioral therapies may also be useful. Several studies have found that music therapy helps patients with dementia. It is important to remember that the patient's caregiver also needs training and emotional support.

In the USA, Tacrine (Cognex), donepezil (Aricept), galantamine (Razadyne), and rivastigmine (Exelon) have been approved for the treatment of dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease - some physicians prescribe these drugs for vascular dementia as well. Selegiline, which is used for treating Parkinson's disease, has been found to slow down the progress of dementia.