Dementia is a broader title for diseases and conditions characterized by a decline in memory, language, problem-solving, and other reasoning skills. Dementia affects a person’s ability to perform daily activities. Alzheimer’s is the most common reason for dementia.

Dementia is not a separate disease; it’s a broader term that includes a vast range of particular medical conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease. Unusual brain changes cause disorders grouped under the general term “dementia.” Such changes in the brain can cause a decline in reasoning skills, also known as cognitive abilities. It is severe enough to impair the daily life of a person as well as the independent function. Dementia can also affect a person’s behavior, emotions, and relationships.

Approximately 60 to 80 percent of cases are of Alzheimer’s Disease. Vascular dementia, the second most common cause of dementia,

which happens due to microscopic bleeding and blood vessel blockage in the brain. However, many other conditions can cause signs of dementia, including some that can be reversible, such as thyroid and vitamin deficiencies.

Dementia is often mistakenly referred to as Aging Disease, which is a false belief that severe mental deterioration is a normal part of aging.

What Causes Dementia?

As dementia is a broad term, there are various reasons why one can get dementia. Let go through some causes of dementia:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Vascular cognitive impairment
• Dementia with Lewy bodies
• Frontotemporal dementia
• Parkinson’s disease
• Huntington’s disease
• HIV
• Traumatic brain injury

Dementia: Loss of Memory & Other Symbols

Signs of dementia can vary greatly. Following examples include:

• difficulties with short-term memory
• keeping track of a purse or wallet
• payment of bills.
• Preparing Meals
• Remembering dates.

Many dementias are progressive, which means the symptoms start slowly and get worse as the dementia progresses. If you or someone are having memory difficulties or other shifts in reasoning skills, don’t ignore the signs. Consult a doctor to learn the cause. Evaluation by the doctor may detect a treatable disease. If the symptoms suggest dementia, early diagnosis enables a person to get the most benefit from treatments as soon as possible. It also gives time to start planning for the future.

Dementia happens due to damage to the brain cells. The damage interferes with the ability of brain cells to interact with each other.

The brain has many distinct areas, each of which is responsible for various functions like memory, perception, and movement. When cells in a particular area are damaged, that area cannot carry out its functions usually.

Various types of dementia are linked with particular kinds of brain cell damage in specific areas of the brain. In Alzheimer’s condition, high levels of particular proteins of the brain cells make it difficult for brain cells to stay fit and to communicate with each other. The hippocampus is a region of the brain, which is the center of learning and memory in the brain, and the brain cells in this region are often the first to be damaged. Hence, memory loss is often one of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer’s.

The most changes in the brain that cause dementia are irreversible and worsen over time. Memory problems caused by the following circumstances may improve when the condition is treated or addressed:

• Depression
• Excess use of alcohol
• Thyroid
• Vitamin deficiencies

Dementia needs help and support from people around them. As it is a progressive disease, there are chances that the symptoms might get worse and cause some problems.

So if you have a loved one having some symptoms of dementia, make sure you consult a doctor. It is crucial to start with the treatment as promptly as possible to slow down the progression of the disease.

If you can, then opt for attendant or caregiver services. Caregiver services provide all necessary care to dementia patients like giving them medicines on time, assisting them while walking, and overall responsibility. To have assistance while taking care of a dementia patient is essential.