Dementia is a disease which is either chronic or progressive in nature. It affects the brain functioning, thinking capacity and the ability to perform the day to day activity. The symptoms start slowly and gradually it gets worsen, hence dementia treatment must be started at the earlier stages. It is very important that it should get diagnosed at the earlier stages. It mainly affects the older people.
What Causes of Dementia?
Dementia is caused by the dead brain cell, but it is not the only reason which causes Dementia. It can also be caused due to head injury, stroke which prevents the normal blood flow. Prion diseases, HIV infection (virus damages the brain cells) and the reversible factors like depression, thyroid abnormalities, medication side effects, excess use of alcohol and vitamin deficiencies.
Symptoms
- People Suffering from dementia, doesn’t cope well with the changes and they find it difficult to accept the environment.
- They tend to confuse very frequently with the people, names, places, sense of directions.
- They also have very frequent mood swings like depression, frustration, anger etc.
- Short term memory loss, as they are having hard times in remembering the things, they performed a while back.
Types of Dementia Treatment
Alzheimer’s disease
It is the most common type of dementia disease. As per the study 60% to 80% of people suffering from dementia has Alzheimer. These people have problem in speaking and writing, have poor judgement, mood swings, being confused, tend to lose things and faces hard time to backtrack them.
Vascular dementia
It is caused due to reduced blood flow in the brain, which occurs through plaque built up in the arteries.
Huntington’s disease
In this type a person has a specific type uncontrolled movement along with the dementia.
Fronttotemporal dementia
It is also known as pick’s disease. The symptoms include difficulty with language and behaviour.
Mixed dementia
This type of dementia occurs due to mix of 2 or more types. There are chances that a person may show the symptoms of both Alzheimer and Vascular dementia
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Dementia with Lewy Bodies
It is neurodegenerative condition in the brain structure where protein gets deposited into the nerve cells which prevents the brain from sending chemical signals to the body.
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Parkinson’s disease
In this type of dementia the person faces issue with the problems like reasoning and judgement. It also increases the irritability, paranoia and depression in the person.
How to Diagnose?
Dementia can not be diagnosed with a single test, therefore a doctor or the specialist uses multiple methods for the same. These are:
Through medical history
Complete physical examination
Laboratory and blood sample tests
Family history
Review of the symptoms like memory, behaviour and brain function
Doctors can confirm the presence of the disease with the help of these and other drug tests in case of drugs and alcohol. However, it is difficult to determine the exact type of dementia. In some cases, the doctor diagnoses the dementia without specifying the type of it. If that happens then, the person should visit the specialist for the dementia treatment.
Dementia Treatment and Care
Dementia’s treatment depends upon its type and what causes it. It cannot be cured, since it is a progressive disease but with proper treatment and care the speed of disease can be put to a halt. There are two types of primary treatments for dementia, these are medications and non-drug therapies.
Medications for Dementia
It includes a chemical increase in the brain which is Acetylcholine. It helps in improving judgement and helps in forming the memories.Memantine is a drug that helps in delaying the behavioural symptoms in people with the Alzheimer disease. It also allows to maintain the normal functioning of the brain for a longer period of time.
Non-Drug Therapies
These therapies also help in reducing the symptoms of dementia. Common types of non-drug treatments include occupational therapy, Anne Penman Laser Therapy, modification of the environment and modification of the common tasks.
NEMA offers the dementia care homes in India. A special care has been provided to the people who are suffering from dementia. NEMA is located in a secured environment, which is specially designed for the dementia guests. Emotional wellbeing of the patients is taken at the utmost care. The trained and skilled staff takes care of the residents of the NEMA Eldercare.
Dementia Nursing Care
Early diagnose to promote early treatment
Maintain the physical health, activity and well-being of the person
Identify and cure the accompanying physical illness
Detect and cure the behavioural and psychological symptoms
Prevention From Dementia
Do not smoke
Avoid alcohol consumption
Maintain a healthy weight
Get plenty of exercises
Eat healthy foods
Manage health problems including diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol
Stay socially involved
NEMA offers the dementia care homes in India. A special care has been provided to the people who are suffering from dementia. NEMA is located in a secured environment, which is specially designed for the dementia guests. Emotional wellbeing of the patients is taken at the utmost care. The trained and skilled staff takes care of the residents of the NEMA Eldercare.