Dementia: Causes, Symptoms, Types & Care Options

Dementia is the most common conditions affecting the older adults globally. These days this term is heard very frequently let’s understand this condition deeper.

Decoding Dementia:

The term Dementia has originated from Latin: DE+MENTIS

• "de-": meaning "away from" or "loss of"

• "mens" or "mentis": meaning "mind," "intellect," or "reason"

Therefore, Dementia literally means “away from mind or loss of mind/ intellect”.

In simpler version Dementia means a decline or loss of mental abilities that are important to hinder with a person's daily life and independence.

Keys Facts on Dementia:

• Did you know that Dementia is the seventh leading cause of death amongst the older people worldwide.

• Not just that it is one of the most common conditions for the dependency and cause of disability in older people.

• In 2021, according to WHO there were 57 million patients suffering from this condition and majority of them were from the low and middle income countries.

• Dementia results from a variety of diseases and injuries that affect the brain. Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia and may contribute to 60–70% of cases.

What Is Dementia?

Dementia is not a single disease but an umbrella term for a several diseases that affect memory, thinking and ability to perform the daily activities.

In Dementia theer is a decline in the cognitive function—thinking, remembering, and reasoning—that interferes with a person’s daily life. It is more than the occasional forgetfulness that comes with aging.

Types of Dementia and the cause:

There are various kinds of Dementia:

• Alzheimer’s disease: This is the most common type of Dementia, which is characterized by the buildup of abnormal proteins in the brain.

• Vascular dementia: This is often due to strokes or other vascular conditions caused due to decreased blood flow to the brain.

• Lewy body dementia: This is due to abnormal protein deposits (Lewy Bodies) in the brain leading to fluctuations in alertness, visual hallucinations, and movement problems.

• Frontotemporal dementia: This leads to changes in personality, behavior, and language affecting the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain.

• Mixed dementia (a combination of types)

Symptoms of Dementia:

Early signs and symptoms are:

• forgetting things or recent events

• losing or misplacing things

• getting lost when walking or driving

• being confused, even in familiar places

• losing track of time

• difficulties solving problems or making decisions

• problems following conversations or trouble finding words

• difficulties performing familiar tasks

• misjudging distances to objects visually.

Common changes in mood and behaviour include:

• feeling anxious, sad, or angry about memory loss

• personality changes

• inappropriate behaviour

• withdrawal from work or social activities

• being less interested in other people’s emotions.

What are the Risk factors of Dementia?

Risk Factors Include:

• Age (especially over 65)

• Family history

• Being overweight or obese

• Being socially isolated

• Depression

• Cardiovascular conditions (e.g., hypertension, diabetes)

• Smoking and alcohol use

• Head injuries

• Sedentary lifestyle and poor diet

Can Dementia Be Treated or Prevented?

• As of current situation there is no cure for majority of the types of Dementia. But progression can be slowed and quality of life could be improved with early diagnosis and management.

• The quality of life could be improved by being physically active, taking part in activities and social interactions that stimulate the brain and maintain daily function.

Medications that can help manage dementia symptoms:

• Alzheimer disease can be treated with Cholinesterase inhibitors like donepezil.

• Incase of severe Alzheimer disease and vascular dementia, NMDA receptor antagonists like memantine are used.

• Medicines to control blood pressure and cholesterol can prevent additional damage to the brain due to vascular dementia.

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can help with severe symptoms of depression in people living with dementia if lifestyle and social changes don’t work, but these should not be the first option.

• Lifestyle changes: Regular exercise, a heart-healthy diet, and social interaction can reduce risk or delay progression.

• Cognitive therapy: Engaging in puzzles, reading, or memory games may help.

• In patients with self-harm or harming others, medicines like haloperidol and risperidone can help.

• Support systems: Caregiver training and support groups play a vital role in managing dementia.

Final Thoughts:

Age is one of the strongest known risk factors for dementia, but that’s inevitable. Therefore, other factors like being physically active, weight control, eating healthy, quitting smoking, low cholesterol and sugar levels can help reduce their risk of cognitive decline and there are studies to prove this. Dementia does not exclusively affect older people – young onset dementia (defined as the onset of symptoms before the age of 65 years) accounts for up to 9% of cases. Additional risk factors include depression, social isolation, low educational attainment, cognitive inactivity and air pollution. Dementia is a significant global health challenge but with strong understanding, increased awareness and compassion, life of these patients and their families can be made easy, let's move beyond the stigma.

This blog is intended for informational purposes only and reflects the views and interpretations of Elite Expertise regarding dementia and related healthcare topics. While we strive to provide accurate and current information, medical knowledge and treatment guidelines may evolve. This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions or concerns about medical conditions. Elite Expertise is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information presented in this article.

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About the Author

Sahana Rao

Sahana Chinthapatla is renowned for her expertise in scientific and medical writing, backed by an MPharm in Pharmacology and years of experience in research analysis and scientific writing.

As the Head Business Writer at Elite Expertise, she provides insightful and well-researched content on KAPS, OPRA, PEBC, PSI and global pharmacy pathways, guiding aspiring pharmacists in their professional journeys.

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Head Business Writer | Elite Expertise