DEMENTIA

DEMENTIA. See the source image. See the source image.

WHAT IS DEMENTIA? Dementia is a syndrome – usually of a chronic or progressive nature – that leads to deterioration in cognitive function (i.e. the ability to process thought) beyond what might be expected from the usual consequences of biological ageing. It affects memory, thinking, orientation, comprehension, calculation, learning capacity, language, and judgement. Consciousness is not affected. The impairment in cognitive function is commonly accompanied, and occasionally preceded, by changes in mood, emotional control, behavior, or motivation. Worldwide, around 55 million people have dementia, with over 60% living in low- and middle-income countries. As the proportion of older people in the population is increasing in nearly every country, this number is expected to rise to 78 million in 2030 and 139 million in 2050 ..

Signs and symptoms- Dementia affects each person in a different way, depending upon the underlying causes, other health conditions and the person’s cognitive functioning before becoming ill. The signs and symptoms linked to dementia can be understood in three stages. Early stage : the early stage of dementia is often overlooked because the onset is gradual. Common symptoms may include: forgetfulness losing track of the time becoming lost in familiar places. Middle stage : as dementia progresses to the middle stage, the signs and symptoms become clearer and may include: becoming forgetful of recent events and people's names becoming confused while at home having increasing difficulty with communication needing help with personal care experiencing behavior changes, including wandering and repeated questioning Late stage: the late stage of dementia is one of near total dependence and inactivity. Memory disturbances are serious and the physical signs and symptoms become more obvious and may include: becoming unaware of the time and place having difficulty recognizing relatives and friends having an increasing need for assisted self-care having difficulty walking experiencing behavior changes that may escalate and include aggression..

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Danger zone 5. TYPES OF DEMENTIA. 1. Alzheimer's Disease Experts think between 60% to 80% of people with dementia have this disease. More than 5 million Americans have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. It's what most people think of when they hear "dementia." If someone you know has Alzheimer's, you'll notice symptoms such as memory loss and trouble planning and doing familiar tasks. The symptoms are mild at first but get worse over a number of years. Your friend or relative might: Be confused about where they are or what day or year it is Have problems speaking or writing Lose things and be unable to backtrack to find them Show poor judgment Have mood and personality changes.

2. Vascular Dementia If a relative or friend of yours gets this type of dementia, it's usually because they had a major stroke, or one or more smaller, "silent" strokes, which can happen without them realizing it. The symptoms depend on which part of their brain was affected by the stroke. While Alzheimer's usually begins with memory problems, vascular dementia more often begins with poor judgment or trouble planning, organizing, and making decisions. Other symptoms may include: -Memory problems that disrupt your loved one's daily life -Trouble speaking or understanding speech -Problems recognizing sights and sounds that used to be familiar -Being confused or agitated -Changes in personality and mood -Problems walking and having frequent falls.

See the source image. .. 3.Dementia With Lewy Bodies (DLB) Lewy bodies are microscopic deposits of a protein that form in some people's brains. They're named after the scientist who discovered them. If someone you know gets DLB, it's because these deposits have formed in the part of the brain called the cortex. The symptoms include: Problems thinking clearly, making decisions, or paying attention Memory trouble Seeing things that aren't there, known as visual hallucinations Unusual sleepiness during the day Periods of "blanking out" or staring Problems with movement, including trembling, slowness and trouble walking Dreams where you act out physically, including, talking walking, and kicking.

4.Parkinson's Disease Dementia People with the nervous system disorder Parkinson's disease get this type of dementia about 50% to 80% of the time. On average, the symptoms of dementia develop about 10 years after a person first gets Parkinson's. This type is very similar to DLB. They have the same symptoms, and people with both conditions have signs of Lewy bodies in their brains. 5. Mixed Dementia This is a combination of two types of dementia. The most common combination is Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. 6. Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) If your loved one has an FTD, they have developed cell damage in areas of the brain that control planning, judgment, emotions, speech, and movement. Someone with FTD may have: Personality and behavior changes Sudden lack of inhibitions in personal and social situations Problems coming up with the right words for things when speaking Movement problems, such as shakiness, balance problems..

7.Huntington's Disease This is a brain disorder caused by a genetic defect that's passed down through family members. While your loved one might have the gene for Huntington's disease at birth, the symptoms don’t usually start to show up until they are between the ages of 30 and 50. People with Huntington's get some of the same symptoms seen in other forms of dementia, including problems with: Thinking and reasoning Memory Judgment Planning and organizing Concentration 8.Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease This is a rare condition in which proteins called prions cause normal proteins in the brain to start folding into abnormal shapes. The damage leads to dementia symptoms that happen suddenly and quickly get worse. Your loved one might have: Memory and concentration problems, Poor Judgement, Confusion, Sleep Problems.

9.Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus This type of dementia is caused by a buildup of fluid in the brain. The symptoms include problems walking, trouble thinking and concentrating, and personality and behavior changes. Some symptoms can be treated by draining the extra fluid from the brain into the abdomen through a long, thin tube, called a shunt. 10. Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome This disorder is caused by a severe shortage of thiamine (vitamin B-1) in the body. It most commonly happens in people who are long-term heavy drinkers. The dementia symptom that's most common with this condition is a problem with memory. Usually a person's problem-solving and thinking skills aren't affected..

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HOW IS DEMENTIA DIAGNOSED ? T o diagnose dementia, doctors first assess whether a person has an underlying, potentially treatable, condition that may relate to cognitive difficulties. A physical exam to measure blood pressure and other vital signs, as well as laboratory tests of blood and other fluids to check levels of various chemicals, hormones, and vitamins, can help uncover or rule out possible causes of symptoms. The following procedures also may be used to diagnose dementia: Cognitive and neurological tests. These tests are used to assess thinking and physical functioning. These include assessments of memory, problem solving, language skills, and math skills, as well as balance , sensory response, and reflexes. Brain scans. These tests can identify strokes , tumors, and other problems that can cause dementia. Scans also identify changes in the brain's structure and function. The most common scans are: Computed tomography (CT), which uses X-rays to produce images of the brain and other organs Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of body structures, including tissues, organs, bones, and nerves Positron emission tomography (PET), which uses radiation to provide pictures of brain activity Psychiatric evaluation. This evaluation will help determine if depression or another mental health condition is causing or contributing to a person's symptoms..

Psychiatric evaluation. This evaluation will help determine if depression or another mental health condition is causing or contributing to a person's symptoms. - Genetic tests. Some dementias are caused by a person’s genes. In these cases, a genetic test can help people know if they are at risk for dementia. It is important to talk with a genetic counselor before and after getting tested, along with family members and the doctor. - Blood tests. It is now possible for doctors to order a blood test to measure levels of beta-amyloid, a protein that accumulates abnormally in people with Alzheimer’s. Several other blood tests are in development. However, the availability of these diagnostic tests for Alzheimer’s and related dementias is still limited..

RISK FACTORS- Many factors can eventually contribute to dementia. Some factors, such as age, can't be changed. Others can be addressed to reduce your risk. Risk factors that can't be changed Age. The risk rises as you age, especially after age 65. However, dementia isn't a normal part of aging, and dementia can occur in younger people. Family history. Having a family history of dementia puts you at greater risk of developing the condition. However, many people with a family history never develop symptoms, and many people without a family history do. There are tests to determine whether you have certain genetic mutations. Down syndrome. By middle age, many people with Down syndrome develop early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Risk factors you can change You might be able to control the following risk factors for dementia. Diet and exercise. Research shows that lack of exercise increases the risk of dementia. And while no specific diet is known to reduce dementia risk, research indicates a greater incidence of dementia in people who eat an unhealthy diet compared with those who follow a Mediterranean-style diet rich in produce, whole grains, nuts and seeds. Excessive alcohol use. Drinking large amounts of alcohol has long been known to cause brain changes. Several large studies and reviews found that alcohol use disorders were linked to an increased risk of dementia, particularly early-onset dementia. Cardiovascular risk factors. These include high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol, buildup of fats in your artery walls (atherosclerosis) and obesity. Depression. Although not yet well-understood, late-life depression might indicate the development of dementia. Diabetes. Having diabetes may increase your risk of dementia, especially if it's poorly controlled..

PREVENTION- There's no sure way to prevent dementia, but there are steps you can take that might help - - Keep your mind active. Mentally stimulating activities, such as reading, solving puzzles and playing word games, and memory training might delay the onset of dementia and decrease its effects. - Be physically and socially active. Physical activity and social interaction might delay the onset of dementia and reduce its symptoms. Aim for 150 minutes of exercise a week. - Quit smoking. Some studies have shown that smoking in middle age and beyond might increase your risk of dementia and blood vessel conditions. Quitting smoking might reduce your risk and will improve your health. - Get enough vitamins. Some research suggests that people with low levels of vitamin D in their blood are more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. You can get vitamin D through certain foods, supplements and sun exposure. More study is needed before an increase in vitamin D intake is recommended for preventing dementia, but it's a good idea to make sure you get adequate vitamin D. Taking a daily B-complex vitamin and vitamin C also might help. - Treat hearing problems. People with hearing loss have a greater chance of developing cognitive decline. Early treatment of hearing loss, such as use of hearing aids, might help decrease the risk. - Psychological and psychosocial therapies. Reminiscence Therapy, Cognitive Reframing..

ART THERAPY FOR DEMENTIA PATIENTS MUSIC THERAPY. See the source image.

THANK YOU - MADE BY SURABHI NAIR 211909025 Msc.Clinical Psychology PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY.