Understanding the problem of Dementia

Dementia or simple forgetfulness?

With age comes the tendency to forget things. As people get older, names or facts often take longer to remember. Telling a story or event requires more effort. Verbal pauses become more common as older people take a few extra moments to remember what they were trying to say or remember some forgotten details accurately. Such bouts with memory span are not uncommon. Simple forgetting is part of the lives of most older people.

For many people, recurrent memory loss may be the first sign of dementia. It is a physical condition that erodes a person's mental abilities. It affects the memory and reasoning ability of an affected person, ultimately leaving it dependent on a full-time caregiver who can provide constant medical care and supervision. While the rate at which a person loses their ability to think and function independently varies, almost all people affected by dementia end up needing some kind of long-term care.

What causes dementia?

Dementia is a condition that impairs the brain's ability to function normally. Several causes may be linked to the condition. Stroke, brain tumors, head injuries and natural deterioration of mental abilities over time can cause dementia. Often, dementia signals the onset of Alzheimer's disease, a degenerative and ultimately terminal condition that affects many older people. Vascular dementia, a form of dementia commonly associated with strokes, is common among Alzheimer's patients.

Fortunately, in some cases, dementia can be treated effectively. Correctable problems such as an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), lack of vitamin B12, certain combinations of medications and fluid in the brain (hydrocephalus) are just some of the things that can cause reversible dementia. In some cases, depression symptoms can also be misdiagnosed as dementia. Unlike real dementia, effective treatment for depression can relieve such symptoms.

What are the symptoms of dementia?

The first notable symptom of dementia is usually memory loss. While the person really affected by the condition may be aware that he has trouble remembering things, it is often family or friends who first notice that something is really wrong. As dementia progresses, a person begins to experience difficulties in performing simple tasks which has been done previously, such as planning their day, making decisions, making basic errands, and understanding or using certain words. Often, dementia sufferers will have difficulty remembering what they are doing or will feel lost in what would normally be familiar places. Over time, people with dementia may forget how to carry out normal and daily behavior. They can stop bathing, brush their teeth or comb their hair. People in advanced stages of dementia often lose the ability to recognize their loved ones and take care of themselves.

How is dementia diagnosed?

While there is no medical test to determine if a person has dementia, doctors do have several methods to diagnose the condition. Once a patient complains of suffering from dementia-like symptoms, a doctor will perform a complete medical examination.

He or she will review the patient's medical and family history, often talking with loved ones, to determine if there is any inherited propensity to suffer from dementia. Usually, the doctor will also perform a series of memory tests, such as asking the patient to remember what day or month it is or to remember names or events that the patient should know. These tests are designed to determine if the patient's ability to remember is normal or if it is necessary to worry.

If, after examining a patient, a doctor determines that the person's mental abilities are less than normal, they will most likely perform a series of tests to determine if there is any other reason besides dementia. He or she can perform blood tests, check for thyroid problems, make sure the patient is not suffering from an infection or even order an MRI of a CT scan to rule out the possibility of a brain tumor or brain injury. Such tests can also reveal any contraction in the brain, which could indicate that dementia has been established.

Can dementia be treated?

Most forms of dementia cannot be cured. But taking the right medications and making the right lifestyle choices can help delay the process. Those who experience the initial stages of dementia should receive advice from their doctor to find out which prescription medications might be most appropriate to help them. In addition, maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes adequate exercise and nutrition, as well as maintaining an active social life, can also help slow the progression of dementia.

How can I help my loved one dealing with dementia?

Caring for a loved one with dementia is a tough job to do but not hard. A caregiver not only deals with the physical fragility that hinders your loved one, but also endures the emotional pain of seeing someone you love deeply deteriorate mentally over time. A key to helping a loved one with dementia is to recognize that you need help. At first, this may simply mean getting advice, medical advice, emotional support and assistance from others as you strive to take care of your loved one and meet your own physical and emotional needs. As time passes, getting the right help will probably involve hiring the services of a professional caregiver or relocating your loved one to an appropriate long-term care facility.

Second, there are practical steps that one can take. Remove things in the home that may cause falls or injuries. Install handrails and other safety features in bathrooms, stairs, kitchens, bedrooms, etc. Organize transportation so that your loved one no longer has to drive. You may also consider investigating services that provide 24-hour monitoring while your loved one is still living in your home.

Finally, be patient and compassionate. Caring for a loved one with dementia can be distressing, frustrating at times. At first, your loved one may be angry and lash out at you and other people trying to help because you are frustrated. As time passes and your loved one's mental abilities erode, he or she may eventually forget who you are and not have the ability to express your gratitude for everything you are doing. That is why it is so important that family members caring for a loved one get help and get the emotional support they need, whether through friends, family, counselors, ministers, etc., to face the challenges of dementia.

While there is currently no cure for dementia, medical science is always moving forward. Hopefully, one day soon, modern medicine will discover a way to reverse the tide of this horrible disease. Until that day, educating that person as well as communicating early in the process with medical professionals who can help, and requesting the assistance of qualified caregivers, are the best ways to combat dementia and ensure that your loved one enjoys the quality of life that he or she deserves. Contact Neuropsychiatrist in Kolkata Dr Subrata Naskar If your loved one is facing this terrible problem.