Welcome to Dementia.cc

Welcome to Dementia.cc

Dementia (from Latin de- "apart, away" + mens (genitive mentis) "mind")

Dementia is a progressive deterioration in a person's functioning. The most common cause is Alzheimer's disease but there are other causes. Common early symptoms include memory loss, confusion, personality changes, apathy and withdrawal.

 

Dementia is the term used to describe the symptoms of a large group of illnesses, which cause a progressive decline in the ability to remember, to think, and to learn. There are a variety of causes. The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease.

As the population ages, more and more people are likely to be affected by dementia.

Dementia is not a natural part of ageing. After the age of 65, however, the likelihood of being diagnosed with dementia doubles every five years. People over the age of 85 years of age currently have a one in four chance of developing dementia. Dementia is one of the major reasons why older people enter residential aged care or seek assistance from community care programs.

The most common early symptoms
The early symptoms of dementia are subtle and may not be immediately obvious. Common symptoms of dementia include:

  • Progressive and frequent memory loss
  • Confusion
  • Personality changes and behaviour changes
  • Apathy and withdrawal
  • Loss of ability to perform everyday tasks.

Types and causes
There are many different types of dementia.

The most common are:

  • Alzheimer’s disease – this is the most common form of dementia and accounts for between 50 and 70 per cent of all cases. It is a progressive, degenerative illness that attacks the brain.
  • Vascular dementia – this is the broad term for dementia associated with problems of circulation of blood to the brain.
  • Dementia with Lewy bodies – abnormal structures called Lewy bodies develop inside nerve cells in the brain.
  • Fronto Temporal Lobar Degeneration (FTLD) – this is the name given to a group of dementias when there is degeneration in one or both of the frontal or temporal lobes of the brain.
  • Parkinson’s disease – this is a progressive disorder of the central nervous system, characterised by tremors, stiffness in limbs and joints, and speech impediments. Some people with Parkinson’s disease may develop dementia in the late stages of the disease.
    Alcohol related dementia – is caused by too much alcohol, especially with a poor diet low in Vitamin B1 (thiamine). It can be prevented by avoiding alcohol abuse.
  • AIDS related dementia – is caused by the HIV virus, but does not affect everyone with HIV-AIDS.
  • Huntington’s disease – this is an inherited, degenerative brain disease that affects the mind and body. Dementia occurs in the majority of cases.

    • Source:  Dementia explained - Better Health Channel

     

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