Dementia is a disorder in brain that leads to memory loss. Dementia occurs when the nerve cells in brain gets damaged. It depends on which part of the brain cells get damaged on the way dementia affects people. It can affect different people differently.
Dementia does not just affect thinking but it also affects the person’s behavior and his ability to perform daily tasks goes on diminishing and to such an extent that the person becomes incapable of doing or thinking anything at all.
Though dementia is common among older people, it is not a part of ageing. Only some people get dementia and the reasons can be many. It has also been found that even during 40s or 50s one can get dementia.
Early symptoms:
There are some symptoms like memory loss and a change in personality which if detected early, can lead to early diagnosis and treatment. Though there is no definite cure for dementia, some symptoms can be controlled by medication.
Causes of dementia
Dementia is of various types. Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease are different types of dementia. Other types of dementia are vascular dementia, alcohol related dementia, Fronto Temporal Lobar Degeneration, etc.
- Old age: As body ages, so does its brain capacity. Hence dementia is cause in people over the age of 65 but not all old person may get dementia though. In fact, in some rare cases, even young people have contracted dementia.
- Infections: Brain infections such as meningitis and untreated syphilis can lead to dementia. Immune deficiency diseases can also cause dementia. Multiple sclerosis is also a cause of dementia.
- Vitamin deficiencies: Deficiency of vitamins such as Vitamin B 6, Vitamin B 1 and Vitamin B 12 can cause dementia. If body is dehydrated constantly, it can gradually lead to dementia.
- Long term use of medications: It has also been found that long term use of medications can cause dementia.
- Bleeding in brain: It is one of the most common reasons behind the cause of dementia. When bleeding occurs between the brain cover and brain surface, the condition referred to as subdural hematomas, causes symptoms like that of dementia.
- Exposure to poisonous pollutants: Regular exposure to poisonous chemicals and pollutants can be a reason for dementia. The pollutants or poisonous substances enter the body and affect various parts, including brain, thus leading to dementia.
- Heart and lung disorders: An efficient blood flow is necessary for the brain to get enough oxygen and thus make it work efficiently. Thus it has been found that the brains of people who suffer from heart or lung disorders are devoid of sufficient oxygen. This is the reason why people who suffer from health or lung problems contract dementia.
- Abuse of substances: Long term use of alcohol and drugs can lead to dementia in the long run.
Though there is no permanent or even temporary cure for dementia, a person with dementia needs help and support. He or should be given enough love and care by family and friends. A person suffering from dementia needs not just sympathy but also empathy and concern.
