About dementia
There are over 100 types of dementia. The most common are Alzheimer's Disease Opens in a new window, Vascular Dementia Opens in a new window and Dementia with Lewy Bodies Opens in a new window. Symptoms include loss of memory, confusion and problems with speech and understanding. Dementia is progressive, which means the symptoms will gradually get worse. How fast dementia progresses will depend on the individual. Each person is unique and will experience dementia in their own way.
Symptoms of dementia include:
- Loss of memory − for example, forgetting the way home from the shops, or being unable to remember names and places, or what happened earlier the same day.
- Mood changes − particularly as parts of the brain that control emotion are affected by disease. People with dementia may also feel sad, frightened or angry about what is happening to them.
- Communication problems − a decline in the ability to talk, read and write.
In the later stage of dementia Opens in a new window, the person affected will have problems carrying out everyday tasks, and will become increasingly dependent on other people.
What causes dementia?
There are several diseases and conditions that cause dementia. These include:
- Alzheimer's Disease − The most common cause of dementia. During the course of the disease the chemistry and structure of the brain changes, leading to the death of brain cells.
- Vascular Disease − The brain relies on a network of vessels to bring it oxygen-bearing blood. If the oxygen supply to the brain fails, brain cells are likely to die and this can cause the symptoms of vascular dementia. These symptoms can occur either suddenly, following a stroke, or over time through a series of small strokes.
- Dementia with Lewy Bodies − This form of dementia gets its name from tiny spherical structures that develop inside nerve cells. Their presence in the brain leads to the degeneration of brain tissue. Memory, concentration and language skills are affected. This form of dementia shares some characteristics with Parkinson's disease.
- Fronto-temporal Dementia (including Pick's disease) − In fronto-temporal dementia, damage is usually focused in the front part of the brain. At first, personality and behaviour are more affected than memory.
- People with multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease may also be more likely to develop dementia.
Mild cognitive impairment
Some individuals may have difficulty remembering to do things, but a doctor may feel that the symptoms are not severe enough to warrant the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia. When this condition occurs, some doctors will use the term 'mild cognitive impairment' (MCI). Recent research has shown that a small number of individuals with MCI have an increased risk of progressing to Alzheimer's disease. However, the conversion rate from MCI to Alzheimer's is small (10-15 per cent).
Can dementia be cured?
Most forms of dementia cannot be cured, although research is continuing into developing drugs, vaccines and treatments. Drugs have been developed that can temporarily alleviate some of the symptoms of some types of dementia. These drugs are known as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.
- Alzheimer's disease - people with Alzheimer's disease may be offered an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor if their non-cognitive symptoms are very distressing and other treatments have not worked or are not suitable.
- Dementia with Lewy bodies - people with dementia with Lewy bodies may be offered an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor if their non-cognitive symptoms are very distressing.
Diagnosing dementia
Many people fear they have dementia, particularly if they think that their memory is getting worse. Becoming forgetful does not necessarily mean that you have dementia: memory loss can be an effect of ageing, and it can also be a sign of stress or depression. Getting a proper diagnosis is therefore very important. Whether you are someone with dementia or a carer, a diagnosis can help you prepare and plan for the future.
Can dementia be prevented?
At present, we are not sure what causes most of the diseases that lead to dementia. This means it is difficult to be sure what we can do to prevent dementia itself. However, the evidence seems to indicate that a healthy diet and lifestyle may help protect against dementia. In particular, not smoking, exercising regularly, avoiding fatty foods and keeping mentally active into old age may help to reduce the risk of developing vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
Contacts
For more information on Dementia please contact your local GP. To find out what support is available locally for families living with Dementia Opens in a new window sufferers please contact the Isles of Scilly Adult Social Care Department on 01720 424 000. Additional information on this and other subjects regarding dementia can be found at www.alzheimers.org.uk Opens in a new window
