Which Of The Following May Be Signaled By Changes
Dementia is the loss of cerebral performance — thinking, remembering, and reasoning — to such an extent that it interferes with a person's daily life and activities. Some people with dementia cannot control their emotions, and their personalities may change. Dementia ranges in severity from the mildest stage, when it is only first to bear on a person's functioning, to the most astringent stage, when the person must depend completely on others for bones activities of living.
Dementia is more mutual equally people grow older (nigh 1-third of all people age 85 or older may have some form of dementia) merely it is not a normal function of aging. Many people live into their 90s and across without whatsoever signs of dementia.
There are several dissimilar forms of dementia, including Alzheimer'due south disease. A person's symptoms can vary depending on the type.
What are the signs and symptoms of dementia?
Signs and symptoms of dementia event when one time-salubrious neurons, or nerve cells, in the brain stop working, lose connections with other brain cells, and die. While everyone loses some neurons every bit they age, people with dementia experience far greater loss.
The symptoms of dementia can vary and may include:
- Experiencing memory loss, poor judgment, and confusion
- Difficulty speaking, understanding and expressing thoughts, or reading and writing
- Wandering and getting lost in a familiar neighborhood
- Trouble treatment money responsibly and paying bills
- Repeating questions
- Using unusual words to refer to familiar objects
- Taking longer to complete normal daily tasks
- Losing interest in normal daily activities or events
- Hallucinating or experiencing delusions or paranoia
- Acting impulsively
- Not caring most other people's feelings
- Losing balance and problems with move
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities tin also develop dementia as they age, and recognizing their symptoms tin can be particularly difficult. It's of import to consider a person's current abilities and to monitor for changes over fourth dimension that could signal dementia.
What causes dementia?
The causes of Alzheimer's and related dementias tin vary, depending on the types of brain changes that may be taking place. While research has institute that some changes in the brain are linked to certain forms of dementia, in well-nigh cases, the underlying causes are unknown. Rare genetic mutations may cause dementia in a relatively small number of people.
Although there is no proven prevention, in general, leading a good for you lifestyle may aid reduce risk factors that accept been associated with these diseases.
What are the different types of dementia?
Various disorders and factors contribute to the development of dementia. Neurodegenerative disorders result in a progressive and irreversible loss of neurons and encephalon operation. Currently, in that location are no cures for these diseases.
The five about mutual forms of dementia are:
- Alzheimer's affliction, the almost common dementia diagnosis among older adults. It is caused by changes in the brain, including abnormal buildups of proteins, known as amyloid plaques and tau tangles.
- Frontotemporal dementia, a rare grade of dementia that tends to occur in people younger than 60. It is associated with aberrant amounts or forms of the proteins tau and TDP-43.
- Lewy body dementia, a grade of dementia caused by abnormal deposits of the protein alpha-synuclein, called Lewy bodies.
- Vascular dementia, a form of dementia caused by conditions that harm blood vessels in the brain or interrupt the flow of claret and oxygen to the brain.
- Mixed dementia, a combination of ii or more types of dementia.
Other conditions that crusade dementia-like symptoms tin can exist halted or even reversed with treatment. For example, normal force per unit area hydrocephalus, an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the encephalon, often resolves with handling.
In addition, medical conditions such as stress, anxiety, depression, and delirium tin can cause serious memory issues that resemble dementia, equally can side effects of sure medicines.
Researchers have also identified many other conditions that can cause dementia or dementia-like symptoms. These atmospheric condition include:
- Argyrophilic grain illness, a common, belatedly-onset degenerative illness
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a rare brain disorder
- Huntington's disease, an inherited, progressive brain disease
- Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, caused by repeated traumatic brain injury
- HIV-associated dementia, a rare disease that occurs when the HIV virus spreads to the brain
The overlap in symptoms of various dementias tin can make information technology difficult to go an accurate diagnosis. Just a proper diagnosis is important to get the all-time treatment.
How is dementia diagnosed?
To diagnose dementia, doctors first assess whether a person has an underlying, potentially treatable, condition that may relate to cognitive difficulties. A physical test to measure blood pressure and other vital signs, as well every bit laboratory tests of claret and other fluids to cheque levels of various chemicals, hormones, and vitamins, can help uncover or rule out possible causes of symptoms.
A review of a person's medical and family history tin can provide important clues about take a chance for dementia. Typical questions might include asking most whether dementia runs in the family, how and when symptoms began, changes in beliefs and personality, and if the person is taking certain medications that might cause or worsen symptoms.
The following procedures also may be used to diagnose dementia:
- Cerebral and neurological tests. These tests are used to appraise thinking and physical functioning. These include assessments of retentiveness, trouble solving, language skills, and math skills, besides as balance, sensory response, and reflexes.
- Brain scans. These tests can identify strokes, tumors, and other problems that can cause dementia. Scans besides identify changes in the brain's structure and function. The most common scans are:
- Computed tomography (CT), which uses 10-rays to produce images of the brain and other organs
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of torso structures, including tissues, organs, bones, and nerves
- Positron emission tomography (PET), which uses radiation to provide pictures of brain action
- Psychiatric evaluation. This evaluation will help decide if depression or another mental health status is causing or contributing to a person's symptoms.
- Genetic tests. Some dementias are caused by a person'due south genes. In these cases, a genetic examination tin can help people know if they are at risk for dementia. Information technology is important to talk with a genetic counselor before and subsequently getting tested, along with family members and the doc.
- Claret tests. Information technology is now possible for doctors to lodge a blood test to measure levels of beta-amyloid, a protein that accumulates abnormally in people with Alzheimer's. Several other blood tests are in development. All the same, the availability of these diagnostic tests for Alzheimer's and related dementias is nonetheless limited.
Early detection of symptoms is of import, equally some causes can be treated. Nevertheless, in many cases, the crusade of dementia is unknown and cannot be treated. Still, obtaining an early diagnosis tin help with managing the status and planning ahead.
Sometimes, a person with dementia will agree to donate their brain. Brain donation helps researchers report brain disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, which touch millions of people. Past studying the brains of people who have died, researchers learn more than about how types of dementia affect the encephalon and how nosotros might improve treat and preclude them. When donating as office of a research report or to the NIH NeuroBioBank, there is no cost to the family for the donation and an autopsy report.
Who can diagnose dementia?
Visiting a primary intendance doctor is oftentimes the start step for people who are experiencing changes in thinking, movement, or beliefs. However, neurologists — doctors who specialize in disorders of the brain and nervous system — are often consulted to diagnose dementia. Geriatric psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, and geriatricians may besides be able to diagnose dementia. Your doctor can help y'all find a specialist.
If a specialist cannot be plant in your customs, contact the nearest medical schoolhouse neurology department for a referral. A medical school hospital also may have a dementia clinic that provides expert evaluation. Y'all can as well visit the Alzheimer's Disease Enquiry Centers directory to see if at that place is an NIA-funded center near you lot. These centers can help with obtaining a diagnosis and medical direction of weather.
For more information near dementia
NIA Alzheimer'southward and related Dementias Teaching and Referral (ADEAR) Center
800-438-4380
adear@nia.nih.gov
world wide web.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers
The NIA ADEAR Center offers information and free print publications most Alzheimer's and related dementias for families, caregivers, and health professionals. ADEAR Center staff answer phone, e-mail, and written requests and make referrals to local and national resources.
Alzheimers.gov
www.alzheimers.gov
Explore the Alzheimers.gov portal for information and resources on Alzheimer'due south and related dementias from across the federal government.
This content is provided by the NIH National Institute on Aging (NIA). NIA scientists and other experts review this content to ensure it is accurate and upwards to date.
Content reviewed: July 02, 2021
Source: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-is-dementia
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