Dementia describes a collection of symptoms with no specific cause. It can affect a wide range of mental functions. Many different conditions have links with dementia. However, there are other types and causes, including :.
It is possible to have multiple types of dementia. The term for this is mixed dementia. Learn more about the symptoms of dementia in older adults here. The cause depends on the type, but the exact causes of many forms of dementia are currently unclear.
Dementia is not an inevitable part of aging, but age is one of the main risk factors. Also, in the United States, around This number rises to Symptoms tend to worsen with age. It is possible to develop dementia at a younger age, but the condition is more common among older adults.
The symptoms of dementia range in severity, and they also vary depending on the area of the brain that the condition affects. The most common symptoms include:.
Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only.
This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Request Appointment. Alzheimer's and dementia: What's the difference? Products and services. What's the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's disease? With Jonathan Graff-Radford, M. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information.
Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Types of dementia. Alzheimer's Association. Accessed Jan. Dementia describes a group of symptoms associated with a decline in memory, reasoning or other thinking skills. Many different types of dementia exist, and many conditions cause it. Mixed dementia is a condition in which brain changes of more than one type of dementia occur simultaneously.
Dementia is not a normal part of aging. It is caused by damage to brain cells that affects their ability to communicate, which can affect thinking, behavior and feelings.
Take our free e-learning course Our course, Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia, outlines the difference between Alzheimer's and dementia, symptoms, stages, risk factors and more. Though dementia is most common in the older demographic, it is not just the senile who have the likelihood of developing dementia.
People in their 40s can also show symptoms of the diseases in the early stages leading to the early onset of dementia, but this only occurs when they have family members with dementia. The symptoms of dementia become pronounced as the stages progress. Sometimes, dementia symptoms may also be caused due to two or more other diseases. Such a condition is known as Mixed Dementia.
At early stages, dementia causes the emergence of symptoms such as:. Whereas senility symptoms also include physical changes such as:. At the later stage of dementia, it becomes imperative for caregivers and family members to be present all the time to take care of the patient. At an advanced stage of dementia, complete dependency on the caregiver is expected. You can also check Dementia Rehab or assisted living facilities like Cadabams Hospitals. A proper diagnosis of dementia is required to differentiate it from other mental health disorders that may exhibit similar symptoms.
As there are different stages of dementia as well, there are a number of tests done for the proper diagnosis of dementia. Listed below are all the ways in which dementia is diagnosed:. There are two types of primary dementia treatments that are used to help manage symptoms of dementia. Cholinesterase inhibitors - One of the drugs used in senile dementia treatment that works by slowing down the breakdown of a chemical called acetylcholine. This chemical is designed to help the patient form memories and improve their judgment capabilities.
There can be some side effects of taking this drug as well. Patients and their caregivers should research about the side effects before going ahead with their medications. These medications can only be prescribed by a licensed medical professional. Non-Drug Therapy : In the case of frontotemporal dementia treatment, occupational therapy is the best way to manage the symptoms.
This type of therapy takes the help of trained dementia caregivers to help the patient get back on their feet by assisting them with understanding how to do their daily tasks like bathing, dressing, or eating properly.
0コメント