Dementia
Dementia is a syndrome characterized by decreased brain function. Dementia often occurs at the age of over 65 years. Dementia is caused by various diseases and injuries. Mental damage can be divided from mild to severe. Some types of dementia are progressive or get worse over time.
Further explanation
The symptoms
Symptoms of dementia include:
Cognitive Change
- Memory loss that can be realized by the partner or the closest person
- Difficulty communicating or finding words
- Difficulty to reason or solve problems
- Difficulty handling complex tasks
- Difficulty planning something
- Difficulty in coordination and decreased motor function
- Confused and disoriented
Psychological Change
- Personality change
- Depression
- Restless
- Strange behavior
- Paranoid
- Agitation
- Hallucinations
Cause
Among the possible causes of dementia include:
- Alcohol and drugs
- Tumor
- Subdural hematomas or blood clots under the brain cover
- Hydrocephalus is normal pressure or fluid buildup in the brain
- Low thyroid hormone levels
- Low blood sugar
- Neurocognitive disorders
Causes of dementia that cannot be recovered and become worse over time, include:
- Alzheimer's disease
- Vascular dementia
- Dementia from Parkinson's disease and similar disorders
- Dementia in the presence of Lewy body
- Frontotemporal dementia (Pick's disease)
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Diagnosis
The doctor will do several tests to diagnose dementia. These tests include:
- Comprehensive medical history
- Physical examination
- Laboratory tests, including blood tests
- Overview of symptoms, including changes in memory, behavior, and brain function
- Family history
Treatment
Treatment is aimed at reducing the symptoms of dementia. Medications that can be used to treat symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include:
- Cholinesterase inhibitors
- This drug increases a chemical called aceticolyn which is useful for delaying symptoms of worsening Alzheimer's disease (AD).
- Memantine
- This drug is used to delay the onset of cognitive and behavioral symptoms in people with moderate or severe AD.
- Treatment therapy
- To suppress behavior that is not controlled.
- Cognitive therapy
- To stimulate memory, problem solving skills, and language skills.
- Occupational therapy
- To teach patients how to do their daily activities safely.
Prevention
Some things you can do to reduce your risk of dementia are:
- Maintain ideal body weight
- Maintain blood pressure
- Perform routine physical activity
- Do not smoke
- Actively doing activities
- Train the brain like diligently reading and playing puzzles
Doctor Information
When to Consult with a Doctor?
See your doctor if you or the person closest to you has memory problems or symptoms of dementia.
What needs to be prepared before consulting a doctor?
Some things you can do before consulting a doctor, including:
- Ask if there is anything that needs to be done, such as fasting before undergoing a particular test.
- Make notes about your condition such as the symptoms you are experiencing, your main personal information, all medications you are taking, and questions that you want to ask your doctor.
What will the doctor do when consulting?
The doctor will ask a few questions before diagnosing your situation. These questions include:
- When do the symptoms begin?
- Are the symptoms gradual or occasional?
- How severe are your symptoms?
- If anything, what seems to improve?
- If anything, what seems to worsen?
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