Introduction to Dementia
The term ‘Dementia’ usually involves the loss of memory which can be attributed to a number of causes. It is usually a group of symptoms which affect the thinking and social abilities of a person thereby hampering the overall quality of their life. There is a loss of memory due to which they are not able to recollect names of people and places.
They tend to get lost in places which were once familiar to them. Caring for a dementia patient is a challenging task as they need to be handled with a lot of love and patience. They need to be constantly reassured that they will get better and keep them engaged in some form of mental activity if that is possible.
Not just the patient, it also affects the lives of those near and dear to the patient as well as their caregivers. Jagruti Rehab Centre is a leading centre which provides medical solutions for such patients thereby helping them lead a good life.
As per the World Health Organisation, Dementia is a syndrome – usually of a chronic or progressive nature – that leads to deterioration in cognitive function (i.e. the ability to process thought) beyond what might be expected from the usual consequences of biological ageing.
It affects memory, thinking, orientation, comprehension, calculation, learning capacity, language, and judgement. Consciousness is not affected. It is not a disease by itself but is characterised by a collection of various symptoms.
Causes of Dementia
Doctors can help in the right diagnosis of the cause of dementia through a medical history and examination. These causes can be primary, secondary or vascular.
- It arises from neurological degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s disease, etc. [1]
- Vascular causes-Injuries to the brain due to a stroke, trauma or an accident.
- It may be caused due to the Lewy bodies present in the brain.
- There are various diseases contributing to fronto-temporal dementia.
- As a result of meningitis.
- HAND-HIV Associated Neurocognitive Disorders.
- Unprecedented use of alcohol.
- Nutritional deficiencies such as Vitamin B12.
- Tumour, subdural haematoma, hormonal disorders.
It is essential that the right treatment be provided to the patient by admitting them at a dementia nursing home. At present, dementia is the seventh leading cause of death. [2] It causes a great deal of dependency in old patients. It is usually seen to some degree in about 5 to 8 per cent of the population above 60 years of age.
Signs and Symptoms of Dementia
- Early signs in dementia patients include the loss of memory, confusion and a loss of a track of time.
- They have confusion regarding simple daily activities such as not remembering whether they have had their medicines or brushed their teeth.
- Mood changes.
- Disorientation.
- Inability to concentrate.
- Struggle to remember words or names.
- Hallucinations.
- Disturbances in sleep pattern.
- Repeating comments or sentences.
- Difficulty in communication
- Requirement of assistance in daily activities such as getting up from bed, walking etc.
Such symptoms often lead to irritability and a feeling of despair, making it a big challenge for caregivers dealing with dementia patients. Initially, such symptoms are mild but they worsen with time. When they are mild they are known as ‘Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)’, as they are not severe enough to be qualified as dementia. [3] In some cases it may not deteriorate, but in others it may worsen over a period of time. There are dementia care centres such as Jagruti Rehab Centre, a Dementia Treatment Centre in Delhi, which look after such patients.
Risk Factors for Dementia
Usually dementia is seen more in the geriatric population. However there are certain risk factors that may increase the risk of dementia.
Risk factors such as an unhealthy lifestyle, no physical activity, unhealthy diet, alcohol abuse etc can lead to early dementia. In order to avert it, one must follow a healthy lifestyle, have a healthy balanced diet and try to keep all health parameters in check.
Treatment for Dementia
Unfortunately, there is no specific cure for dementia. [4] Early diagnosis and medical treatment help slow down the progress of the disease but do not completely cure it. An important tip for dementia caregivers is that there is no cure, but by providing the right assistance with love and care, patients can have a good quality of life.
- If there is an underlying medical illness, it is necessary to treat that.
- The patient needs to be kept engaged in some mentally stimulating activities, such as solving puzzles, to stimulate the brain.
- The patient can experience mood swings and emotional disturbances. The caregiver needs to keep reassuring the patient that they are safe.
- There are also personality changes seen in the patient which are challenging to deal with. On average, as per the WHO in 2019, a caregiver spends five hours a day providing care for a dementia patient.
- If the cause is reversible, that cause needs treatment at the earliest.
Medical Treatment for Dementia
- Aduhem is the first drug to be approved by the FDA to treat Alzheimer's especially if that is the underlying cause.
- Other medications include: NMDA receptor antagonist memantine, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors which slow down the progression of the disease.
Can dementia be prevented?
There is no guaranteed way to prevent it. However, one must follow a healthy lifestyle in order to lower the risk. If you know a near and dear one living with dementia, you can seek support at a Dementia Treatment Centre in Delhi such as Jagruti Rehab Centre, where the right care can help them live with comfort and dignity.
