What is Dementia?
Dementia, due to its link to memory loss and degenerative brain conditions, it may trigger shivers at the slightest mention of it in a medical context. The prospect of losing one's memory and cognitive ability is terrible because these factors uniquely identify an individual from others. One's personality, logic, reasoning, and identity are the essence of an individual's existence.
Tragically, dementia is a sign of aging that often occurs since it is linked to several age-related degenerative disorders. As a result of poor brain function, dementia causes a person to gradually lose their memory and become unable to have clarity of thoughts and actions.
Dementia gets worse over time, but several medications and treatments for Dementia can aid in restricting it and stop it from worsening further.
To get to know the evil of Dementia better, here are some of the impacts and consequences on one's life and surroundings:
- In the current scenario, dementia is one of the primary causes of impairment and dependency in the adult population, the sixth most prominent cause of mortality across all disorders.
- Dementia affects people physically, psychologically, socially, and economically, as well as their caretakers, families, and society.
- Approximately 55 million people across the globe have dementia, and around 10 million new patients are recorded annually.
- The most prevalent kind of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, may be a factor in 60-70% of occurrences.
Dementia causes memory loss brought on by severe alterations in the brain. Additionally, these modifications make it challenging for people to carry out daily tasks. Most persons with dementia experience changes in personality and conduct.
All dementia types impact three regions of the brain:
- language
- memory
- decision-making
Most dementia cases are brought on by an illness that cannot be cured/reverted. Rare exceptions exist, usually in dementia cases brought on by drug or alcohol misuse.
Should Dementia Patients Be Medicated?
Before utilizing drugs, it is often advised to try managing the discomfort with non-drug measures if a medical disease has been ruled out.
While some drugs might be highly beneficial, others should be avoided since they can lead to new issues. To deliver benefits or lessen unwanted effects, others may require dosage adjustments. Alternative therapies, such as non-drug techniques, may be safer and more beneficial for you than drugs in some instances.
Alzheimer's disease and other dementias cannot be cured with existing drugs, although they may halt the progression and improve the symptoms. They might alleviate issues with memory, cognition, language, and other mental functions. They could also assist with difficulties related to agitation, mood, and other behavioral traits.
Can All Dementia Be Treated With Medication?
All kinds of dementia conditions can be catered with proper medication and lifestyle changes but the alternate remedies should be exhausted first as far as possible. For those with dementia, a number of nutritional supplements, herbal treatments, and therapies have been investigated. But none of them have solid supporting data.
When contemplating using vitamins, herbal medicines, or nutritional supplements, proceed with caution, especially if you are already taking other prescriptions. Claims concerning the advantages of these treatments are not usually supported by scientific research and are not subject to regulation.
What Helps Dementia Naturally?
Though dementia needs essential medication at every step to prevent it from worsening. But there are numerous alternative natural medications and lifestyle changes that can be brought about to retard the impact. The caretakers should try upon following activities;
Detailed and Calm Conversations: Maintain eye contact during the conversations, be calm and composed don't rush while dealing with the patient. Try to use hand gestures and point things.
Encourage physical activity/exercise: Strength, balance, and cardiovascular health are enhanced when patients with dementia exercise. According to some studies, exercise can help alleviate the symptoms of depression and may even slow the advancement of mental impairment in Alzheimer's patients.
Balanced diet: Obesity is among the most significant risk factors for Alzheimer's. A diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is 3-fold more prevalent in those with a high body mass index (BMI) and a propensity to accumulate fat around their midsection. A balanced nutritious diet can be a lifesaver in less severe cases of dementia.
Vitamin and Nutrient Supplement: DHA is a kind of omega-3 fatty acid that may be found in organ meats, algae, seafood, and eggs. Supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids could help halt the course of Alzheimer's disease.
Total brain function and brain communication can both be enhanced by coconut oil. This healthy lipid with anti-inflammatory properties aids in nerve cell lining repair.
By repairing neural pathways in the brain, vitamin B-12 can support general cognitive function. One of the most popular supplemental treatments that frequently performs better than the placebo is ginkgo Biloba extract. The positive effects of ginkgo include enhanced neurobiology and memory. Apart from these, numerous other edibles rich in specific content can help deal with dementia effectively.
Social interaction and an active mind: Consider what the person with dementia can and will enjoy doing. Activities like music, dance, gardening, drawing, and cooking may be enjoyable, allow you and your beloved to interact, and encourage your dear ones to concentrate on what they can still accomplish.
Rehab centers also play a crucial role in offering patients the prerequisites mentioned above. Centers like Jagruti Rehab Centre are among those who endeavor to impart the best services to patients across all major cities.
Types of Medications Used to Treat Dementia
No clear-cut test or medication can figure out the gravity and treatment of dementia. The doctor can run a series of tests to determine the same.
Examinations
Neuropsychological and Cognitive tests
Doctors will assess your capacity for thought. Tests are used to examine a variety of cognitive abilities, including memorization, alignment, reasoning and judgment, language proficiency, and concentration.
Brain Scans
- CT or MRI looks for signs of a tumor, stroke, hemorrhage, or hydrocephalus in the brain.
- PET exams can reveal patterns of brain activity and if the amyloid or tau protein, defining characteristics of Alzheimer's disease, has been stored in the skull.
- A procedure called a lumbar puncture may be done to take a tiny quantity of fluid out of the spine.
A column that protects the brain and spinal cord. Brain illnesses that may be present can be identified by fluid analysis.
Lab Tests
Lab tests are also performed to detect the physical problems that can hamper brain functionality, such as deficiency of vitamin B-12 or underperforming thyroid glands. At times spinal fluid is also examined for inflammation or infection in the spinal section.
Medication
Most dementia can't be cured, but its impact can be mitigated using drugs and medication as prescribed by physicians. The following is the standard/idle approach for the treatment in the early and middle stages:
- Memantine
- Antidepressants
- Antipsychotics
- Cholinesterase inhibitors
Memantine (Namenda) acts by controlling the action of glutamate, a different chemical transmitter important in mental processes, including memories and learning.
Since depression is frequently the first indicator of dementia, these drugs are utilized in most patients. Psychological methods and treatments can include a variety of behavioral therapies and cognitive stimulation techniques.
These are frequently given to address behavioral issues and dementia signs, but using them poses a hazard that may outweigh the benefits it offers.
They are utilized to cure dementia involving Lewy bodies and mild to moderate Alzheimer's, although there is a chance of adverse consequences.