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What is dementia?

Dementia is one of the most common disease syndromes at old age. It leads to disorders of memory, conception, orientation, ability to learn, arithmetic, judgment and language. There are also changes in social behavior and loss of emotional control. Dementia is not a disease, it is a complex of different symptoms that may be based on different causes. Dementia is a generic term for more than 50 disease forms. The best-known classifications are explained below.

 

Classification of dementia:

The cortical dementia is based on a change in the cerebral cortex. In subcortical dementia, the areas below the cerebral cortex or deeper layers of the brain are affected by a transformation. There are many mixed and transitional types, which make a classification problematic. 

Alzheimer's disease:

Alzheimer's disease is the most common type and affects about 60% of dementia patients. In this type the balance of glutamate and nerve cells is disrupted. 

Frontotemporal dementia:

Frontotemporal dementia is primarily associated with changes in personality and interpersonal behavior. Signs of this type include unfocused behavior, neglect of duties as well as decreasing interest in relatives and hobbies. Indifference, irritability, aggressiveness, violation of social norms and the non-acceptance of the illness can also be symptoms of this type of dementia. In the further course of the disease, the frontotemporal dementia leads to speech disorders and memory disorders.

Lewy-Körperchen Demenz:

Lewy body dementia is a type of dementia that is similar to Alzheimer's disease. In this type, remains of protein accumulate in the nerve cells of the brain. Hallucinations could be the result. Those affected see things that are not there, such as humans and larger animals. Rarely an auditory hallucination can occur. In this case, affected persons hear non-existent voices, music or sounds. 

Vascular dementia:

Vascular dementia is often due to circulatory disorders. Stroke-like symptoms and deterioration of the brain function can be the result. Affected persons find it difficult to orientate theirselves and to concentrate. Vascular dementia can express itself through rapidly changing emotions, such as between laughter and crying. Hemiplegia, gait disturbances, incontinence and increased muscle reflexes can occur during the course of the disease.

Secondary dementia:

Secondary dementia describes an non-organic brain disease. If the disease is successfully treated the memory disorders may regress. Causes of a secondary dementia can be e.g. metabolic disorders, thyroid disorders or a deficiency of vitamin B12, alcoholism or other chronic poisoning and infectious diseases such as meningitis, AIDS or the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

How to deal with it?

Dementally changed people are no longer able to cope with their everyday lives alone and are severely limited in their social and everyday ways of life. Dementia patients are often aggressive and unfriendly because they can no longer understand actions and situations. It is important as a relative to be patient and empathize with those affected. You should also pay attention to your own strengths and seek help if necessary. Further tips for caregivers can be found in our guide.

 

 

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