Dementia is a disease treatment. Symptoms and prevention of the disease Dementia – What is dementia: General information about the disease

Proved, that the dementia always lies organic lesion of the brain. But, Unfortunately, Sometimes you cannot identify the specific cause of the dementia patient.

Dementia: causes and factors

The main reason for dementia-destruction of nerve cells (neurons). When the death of neurons in the brain are formed toxic compound, as well as the process worsens power cells. Less violation of brain activity associated with other independent disease, that complicates the work of the nervous system. On statistics, about 90% deaths occur in the primary with dementia, and 10% – to someone, caused by other diseases (secondary dementia).

One of the leading causes of dementia, considered for today, is arterial hypertension. Along with high blood pressure treated and violation systemic circulation, the defeat of the main vessels on amidst atherosclerosis, Arrhythmia, angiopathy and other violations, affecting the cerebral circulation.

Medical surveillance in different countries show, which is approximately 20% cases of dementia develops against the backdrop of alcoholism, neoplastic diseases and head injuries. About 1% deaths occur in Parkinson's disease, infectious diseases, metabolic pathologies and degenerative diseases of the central nervous system. In particular, noted, that are at risk are people with diabetes, HIV, infectious diseases of the brain (eg, meningitis, syphilis), diseases of the thyroid gland and internal organs (liver or kidney failure).

Older people due to certain physiological circumstances, dementia is irreversible, even if the cause is resolved in its development.

With regard to disease, against which may develop dementia, the following ones:

• Nervous System Disorders, where die cells of the nervous system (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's chorea and other).
• Vascular diseases of the brain, eg, stroke, chronic cerebral ischemia, multiple infarcts.
• Intoxication by heavy metals, in particular, aluminum, zinc, copper.
• Intoxication with drugs, eg, ʙarʙituratami, holinolitikami, ʙenzodiazepinami, neiroleptikami and other.
• Disease, accompanied by metabolic disorders (alcoholism, gipoglikemiâ, disorders of the kidneys and liver, gipotireoz, lack of vitamins B1 and B12, folic acid deficiency).
• Infectious diseases of the nervous system.
• HIV.
• Creutzfeldtjakob-Jakob Disease.
• Craniocerebral trauma.
• Brain Tumors.

With regard to the adverse factors, the dementia following:

• Age. The older man, the higher the likelihood of developing dementia. While between 70 and 80 over the years, the risk of dementia increases almost in 10 time. According to the statistics, the 80-year-old dementia observed in 20% people.
• Paul. According to the medical observations, Alzheimer's disease most often occurs in women. There is an assumption, that this may be due to the lack of the hormone estrogen in women of advanced age. As for vascular dementia, It is most commonly seen in men. As it is known, men were more likely to suffer cardiovascular disease.
• Hereditary predisposition. Some varieties of dementia is possible hereditary predisposition. Truth, If the parents after 65 years developed dementia, then the probability of its occurrence among descendants of the increases is not much.

Types of disease: classification of dementia

Depending on the causes of dementia sometimes vascular and senile. These pathologies can occur with different currents, namely:

• Light dementia-State, where a patient is faced with challenges in their professional activity. Besides, a noticeable decrease in its social activity. In mild dementia patient is able to maintain himself.
• Moderate dementia. With moderate dementia patients cannot remain alone for long periods of time. In this case, patients lose their skills using equipment and appliances. By the closest people requires constant monitoring. At a moderate form of dementia patients also retain skill self-service.
• Severe dementia. This form is characterized by full disadaptation patients. They need continuous assistance from relatives or medical staff. In severe cases, the patient needs assistance even to commit the most simple action (dressing, eating, hygienic procedures).

Symptoms of dementia: as manifested disease

There are many symptoms of dementia, Here are the main ones:

• Memory disorders. When mild dementia, usually, There are lapses in short-term memory. The patient forgets phone numbers, talk, events, occurred to him during the day.
• In severe cases, suffering and long-term memory. The patient forgets the names of relatives, my profession and education, develops disorientation
• It may be disrupted, patients lose the ability to respond to multiple stimuli simultaneously and hold attention on one lesson.
• Violation of orientation is observed, usually, Since the early days of the disease. The patient ceases to navigate through time and space, as well as in self. In severe cases, the patient is lost, even in familiar surroundings and can't remember his name.
• And here are the changes in personality and behavior disorders evolve gradually. This is reflected in the strengthening of the personality traits, characteristic for this person. Frugal becomes greedy, hilarious –unduly blamed Caserta, energetic fussy etc..
• A person progresses selfishness, He does not want to listen to the needs of others, noted excessive suspicion and resentment.
• Slowing down the pace of thinking, lost ability to logic. Perhaps the formation of delusional ideas.
• Emotional disorders varied. Possible depression, increased anxiety and irritability, tearfulness, malice, indifference to others.
• When dementia may experience the disorder of perception, manifesting illusions or hallucinations. The patient may claim, what he hears in the next room Moo cows and crashing waterfall.
• Senile dementia, there was a reduction in the critical attitude to its status and reality. If partial self-criticism has been saved, ill try to hide their disease.

Actions of the patient with dementia

Upon detection of symptoms of dementia need to see a doctor. It is desirable to identify a pathology in the early stages of its development. So the disease is easier to control, and ill be able to any longer support active physical and mental activity.

Diagnosis of dementia

Diagnosis of the disease includes the study of the thyroid gland, brain and psychological testing.

Treatment of dementia

Treatment of senile dementia include psychosocial therapy and use of medicines.

Psychosocial therapy includes the support and care of the sick by his relatives and friends.

It is not recommended to put such people in psychiatric institutions. He must be in familiar surroundings. The new location can only provoke the progression of dementia.

Drug therapy is prescribed at depression, insomnia, hallucinations, Breda, aggression towards others. Showing drugs, improves cerebral blood circulation, nootropics (picamilon).

Medicines, fully healing senile dementia, at the moment there is no.

Complications of dementia

The most serious complication of dementia is the complete social exclusion. A person loses the ability to communicate with other people due to problems with memory and thinking.

Prevention of dementia

Prevention of dementia generally coincides with the recommendations on healthy living. In particular, doctors recommend:

• Stick to a healthy balanced diet. This is one of the most effective ways to prevent the development of hypertension.
• Abandon bad habits (smoking and alcohol abuse).
• Regularly engage in physical activity. Very useful for hiking in the great outdoors.
• Keep mental work. Noted, teachers and scholars have dementia develops less, than the rest. The constant mental activity (eg, learning a foreign language) prevents loss of nerve cells.
• Communicate regularly with a wide range of people.