What is
dementia
? Dementia refers to a clinical syndrome characterized by progressive cognitive decline that interferes with the ability to function independently.
What is dementia syndrome?
Dementia is a
syndrome (a group of related symptoms) associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning
. There are many different causes of dementia, and many different types. People often get confused about the difference between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Which condition is characterized by a progressive cognitive decline?
Dementia is a relatively well-defined condition characterized by a progressive decline of cognitive and performances, as a consequence of degenerative and/or vascular brain changes.
What is Alzheimer’s disease characterized by?
Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by two abnormalities in the brain:
amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles
. Amyloid plaques, which are found in the tissue between the nerve cells, are unusual clumps of a protein called beta amyloid along with degenerating bits of neurons and other cells.
Is characterized by progressive loss of memory?
Alzheimer’s disease
is characterized by a progressive loss of brain cells and other irregularities of the brain. Other causes. Other possible causes of memory loss include an underactive or overactive thyroid gland, illegal drug use,and infections such as HIV, tuberculosis, and syphilis that affect the brain.
Which memory is most commonly damaged in dementia?
- In its early stages, Alzheimer’s disease typically affects short-term memory. …
- As Alzheimer’s progresses, semantic, episodic and procedural memories all gradually erode. …
- Dementia is the most common cause of long-term memory loss,3 but not the only one.
Is dementia biological or psychological?
Dementia is a
psychological disorder
.
At what point do dementia patients need 24 hour care?
Late stage Alzheimer’s sufferers
become unable to function and eventually lose control of movement
. They need 24-hour care and supervision. They are unable to communicate, even to share that they are in pain, and are more vulnerable to infections, especially pneumonia.
Can dementia get worse suddenly?
Dementia is a progressive condition, meaning that
it gets worse over time
. The speed of deterioration differs between individuals. Age, general health and the underlying disease causing brain damage will all affect the pattern of progression. However, for some people the decline can be sudden and rapid.
What should you not say to someone with dementia?
- “You’re wrong” …
- “Do you remember…?” …
- “They passed away.” …
- “I told you…” …
- “What do you want to eat?” …
- “Come, let’s get your shoes on and get to the car, we need to go to the store for some groceries.”
What’s the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia?
Dementia is
a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life.
Alzheimer’s is
the most common cause of
dementia
.
Alzheimer’s is
a specific disease.
Dementia is
not.
Do Alzheimer’s patients know they have the disease?
Alzheimer’s disease progressively destroys brain cells over time, so during the early stages of dementia, many do recognize something is wrong, but not everyone is aware. They
may know they are supposed to recognize you
, but they can’t.
Which is the major cause of dementia?
Dementia is caused by damage to or changes in the brain. Common causes of dementia are:
Alzheimer’s disease
. This is the most common cause of dementia.
What are the 10 warning signs of dementia?
- Sign 1: Memory loss that affects day-to-day abilities. …
- Sign 2: Difficulty performing familiar tasks. …
- Sign 3: Problems with language. …
- Sign 4: Disorientation in time and space. …
- Sign 5: Impaired judgement. …
- Sign 6: Problems with abstract thinking. …
- Sign 7: Misplacing things.
How a person can forget or lost his memory What are those reasons?
Not enough oxygen getting to the brain
when your heart or breathing is stopped for too long. Severe brain infection or infection around brain. Major surgery or severe illness, including brain surgery. Transient global amnesia (sudden, temporary loss of memory) of unclear cause.
What are the 3 most commonly prescribed drugs for dementia?
- Donepezil (Aricept) is approved to treat all stages of the disease. It’s taken once a day as a pill.
- Galantamine (Razadyne) is approved to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer’s. …
- Rivastigmine (Exelon) is approved for mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.
