Age may bring wisdom but the downside to this is a tendency to forget things more easily but when this situation worsens, it may be a case of dementia. As other functions carried out by the brain are affected, many normal occurrences can become confusing for a person suffering with dementia.
As dementia does not have a direct cause but can be a side effect of other illnesses and takes a long time to manifest itself this can delay any treatment that could be given. However, while dementia cannot be cured, there are many instances where, when caught early on, it can be treated with varying degrees of success and often although dementia may seem to be present, it can actually be a case of the person being depressed. In cases where a person is suffering from depression, dementia like symptoms can be present leading to a false diagnosis but in others it is just a matter of treating the cause of the condition.
To provide an example of this type of situation; people can show signs of dementia through using drugs, drink and even the hormones can play a part, which shows the importance early diagnosis will play especially as in many of these circumstances, the condition can be partially or completely rectified. It is now believed that short term or temporary dementia can be caused by at least one hundred other conditions and while the number of treatable dementia cases is only one in ten, the doctor needs to be fully aware of the circumstances so an opportunity to treat the patient is not overlooked.
Although most forms of dementia faced by the elderly are those considered chronic or untreatable, some are the result of another possibly unrelated illness and can be treated. Often, older people have as many changes in their lives as do those of the young and they are not always able to deal with them effectively especially the big changes like a move or death of someone close like a partner. The stresses these can cause may inflict other damage that goes unrecognized but the doctor should be informed of any change in your circumstances.
Many other physical conditions that the elderly are prone to can also problems with sleep patterns, erratic mood swings and affect the amount of food they eat. Of course, medical conditions like hypoglycemia, liver and kidney problems, electrolyte imbalances and hypocalcaemia can all create problems that affect sleep, appetite and cause confusion. Of course even conditions like gradual loss of hearing and sight so the person may seem to be disorientated which will create symptoms like those seen in dementia so regular physical examinations need to be carried out.
Nutritional Imbalances can also cause dementia like symptoms and indicators of this include difficulty swallowing, chewing, or digesting food but the loss of the sense of smell, taste, or inability to eat due to dentures or trouble shopping can all contribute to nutritional deficiencies. Other conditions that cause permanent cognitive dysfunction like head traumas, cerebral degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's chorea must also be considered.
The only way to fully diagnose dementia is by using modern scanning techniques which may also help when searching for treatable conditions as well. The main difference when it is a case of irreversible dementia is the need for adjustments to be made where the person lives to avoid situations that are dangerous but continuous training in behavior methods should also be carried out.
As dementia does not have a direct cause but can be a side effect of other illnesses and takes a long time to manifest itself this can delay any treatment that could be given. However, while dementia cannot be cured, there are many instances where, when caught early on, it can be treated with varying degrees of success and often although dementia may seem to be present, it can actually be a case of the person being depressed. In cases where a person is suffering from depression, dementia like symptoms can be present leading to a false diagnosis but in others it is just a matter of treating the cause of the condition.
To provide an example of this type of situation; people can show signs of dementia through using drugs, drink and even the hormones can play a part, which shows the importance early diagnosis will play especially as in many of these circumstances, the condition can be partially or completely rectified. It is now believed that short term or temporary dementia can be caused by at least one hundred other conditions and while the number of treatable dementia cases is only one in ten, the doctor needs to be fully aware of the circumstances so an opportunity to treat the patient is not overlooked.
Although most forms of dementia faced by the elderly are those considered chronic or untreatable, some are the result of another possibly unrelated illness and can be treated. Often, older people have as many changes in their lives as do those of the young and they are not always able to deal with them effectively especially the big changes like a move or death of someone close like a partner. The stresses these can cause may inflict other damage that goes unrecognized but the doctor should be informed of any change in your circumstances.
Many other physical conditions that the elderly are prone to can also problems with sleep patterns, erratic mood swings and affect the amount of food they eat. Of course, medical conditions like hypoglycemia, liver and kidney problems, electrolyte imbalances and hypocalcaemia can all create problems that affect sleep, appetite and cause confusion. Of course even conditions like gradual loss of hearing and sight so the person may seem to be disorientated which will create symptoms like those seen in dementia so regular physical examinations need to be carried out.
Nutritional Imbalances can also cause dementia like symptoms and indicators of this include difficulty swallowing, chewing, or digesting food but the loss of the sense of smell, taste, or inability to eat due to dentures or trouble shopping can all contribute to nutritional deficiencies. Other conditions that cause permanent cognitive dysfunction like head traumas, cerebral degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's chorea must also be considered.
The only way to fully diagnose dementia is by using modern scanning techniques which may also help when searching for treatable conditions as well. The main difference when it is a case of irreversible dementia is the need for adjustments to be made where the person lives to avoid situations that are dangerous but continuous training in behavior methods should also be carried out.
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