Living With Dementia, Causes, Help and Advice

By Chris Buchner

Dementia is a complex condition that is usually associated with the progressive loss of cognitive abilities and memory impairment. It is a chronic disease of the brain that can occur in various forms and degrees of severity. The consequences of dementia can affect many areas of daily life and therefore often have a major impact on the quality of life of the person affected as well as their family and friends. Dementia is not a disease in its own right, but rather a collective term for a number of diseases that are all associated with a reduction in cognitive abilities. The best-known forms of dementia include Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia and Lewy body dementia. However, there are many other forms of dementia that differ in their causes, progression and symptoms

• Language: English
• Publisher: Luna-Publishing
• Release date: Jan 18, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224868148

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 Introduction: What is dementia? 

Dementia is a complex condition that is usually associated with the progressive loss of cognitive abilities and memory impairment. It is a chronic disease of the brain that can occur in various forms and degrees of severity. The consequences of dementia can affect many areas of daily life and therefore often have a major impact on the quality of life of the person affected as well as their family and friends. Dementia is not a disease in its own right, but rather a collective term for a number of diseases that are all associated with a reduction in cognitive abilities. The best-known forms of dementia include Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia and Lewy body dementia. However, there are many other forms of dementia that differ in their causes, progression and symptoms. The causes of dementia are varied and cannot always be clearly identified. In Alzheimer's disease, for example, it is assumed that amyloid plaques and neurofibrils become entangled in the affected brain cells, disrupting communication between the cells and ultimately leading to cell death. In vascular dementia, on the other hand, there is damage to the blood vessels in the brain, which leads to circulatory disorders and thus to the death of brain cells. The symptoms of dementia can vary greatly and depend on both the type of disease and its severity. Typical symptoms of dementia include memory loss, orientation problems, speech difficulties, impaired thinking and judgment as well as changes in behavior. In advanced stages of the disease, physical limitations such as difficulty walking and carrying out everyday activities may also occur. The diagnosis of dementia is often difficult and requires a comprehensive examination covering both physical and mental aspects. The doctor will usually take a detailed medical history, perform physical examinations and conduct mental tests to determine if dementia is present. The treatment of dementia is complex and depends on many factors, including the type of disease, the severity and the individual needs of the patient. There is currently no cure for dementia, but there are various treatment options that can help to alleviate the symptoms of the disease and improve the patient's quality of life. These include medication to alleviate the symptoms of the disease. 

Types of dementia 

Dementia is a disease that affects the brain's ability to process, store and retrieve information. There are different types of dementia, all of which can have different effects on memory, personality and daily life. In this article, we will look at some of the most common types of dementia.Alzheimer's dementia is the most common form of dementia and affects around 60-80% of people with dementia. It is a progressive disease that develops slowly and affects memory, language, thinking skills and behavior. Alzheimer's dementia usually occurs in older people, but can also occur in younger people. Vascular dementia Vascular dementia occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted and brain tissue is damaged. This form of dementia can be caused by strokes, heart disease or other conditions that affect blood flow to the brain. Symptoms can vary depending on which area of the brain is affected. Lewy body dementia Lewy body dementia occurs when abnormal protein deposits, known as Lewy bodies, form in the nerve cells of the brain. This type of dementia can cause a variety of symptoms, such as hallucinations, problems with balance and coordination, memory problems and behavioral changes. Frontotemporal dementia Frontotemporal dementia is a group of conditions that affect behavior, language and personality. It usually occurs in people aged 40-60 and can cause those affected to have difficulty following social norms and rules. Symptoms can vary depending on the type of frontotemporal dementia. Mixed dementia Mixed dementia occurs when several forms of dementia occur at the same time. For example, someone may have Alzheimer's dementia and vascular dementia. Symptoms can vary depending on the type of dementia and can be particularly severe for the person affected. Parkinson's dementia Parkinson's dementia occurs in some people with Parkinson's disease, a condition that affects movement. Parkinson's dementia can cause memory problems, problems with speech and other cognitive functions. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a rare disorder caused by