Dementia Causes And Treatment

Dementia is a condition in which certain diseases result in loss of brain function

. It affects the thinking memory, language, and judgment and behavior ability of the brain.

Symptoms of dementia-

Symptoms of dementia may vary depending on the cause of the condition. Common signs and symptoms may include:

Memory loss

Difficulty communicating

Inability to learn or remember new information

Difficulty with planning and organizing

Difficulty with coordination and motor functions

Personality changes

Inability to reason

Inappropriate behavior

Paranoia

Agitation

Hallucinations

Causes of dementia-

There are many causes of dementia. Few dementias such as Alzheimer's disease occur on their own and not as a result of other diseases. The reason behind diseases linked to dementia is not known. It can be classified into various ways and are often grouped by their common factor. Such as what part of the brain is affected or whether they worsen over time. Dementia which is caused by reaction to medication or an infection can be reversed with treatment.

Progressive dementias

Types of dementias that worsen over time include:

Alzheimer's disease

Lewy body dementia

Vascular dementia

Front temporal dementia

Other disorders that are linked to dementia

Huntington's disease

Dementia pugilistic

HIV-associated dementia

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

Secondary dementias

Dementia causes that can be reversed

Some causes of dementia which can be reversed which can be identified, treated and even cured by the doctor:

Infections and immune disorders

Metabolic problems and endocrine abnormalities

Nutritional deficiencies

Reactions to medications

Subdural hematomas.

Poisoning

Brain tumors

Anoxia

Heart and lung problems

Treatment of dementia-

Treatment of dementia may aim at slowing down or minimizing the development of symptoms. The treatment may include medications

Cholinesterase inhibitors: These drugs may include donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon) and galantamine hydrobromide (Razadyne). These are Alzheimer's drugs that work by boosting levels of a chemical messenger involved in memory and judgment. Side effects of the medicines can include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Although primarily used as Alzheimer's drugs, they're also used to treat vascular, Parkinson's and Lewy body dementias.

Memantine (Namenda): This is another drug for Alzheimer's disease which works by regulating the activity of glutamate, another chemical messenger involved in all brain function. It includes learning and memory. Most common side effect is dizziness. Some research has shown that combining memantine with a cholinesterase inhibitor has shown better results. Although primarily it was used to treat Alzheimer's disease, it may help in improving symptoms of other dementias.

Other medications: Although there is no standard treatment for dementia, some symptoms can be treated. Additional treatments aim at reducing the risk of further damage to the brain.

Treating the underlying cause of dementia may slow or stop the progress of the condition.

A disease celled Creutzfeldt-Jakob has no known treatments. Care is focused on making sure the person is comfortable and easy.

by: bookmydoctor

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