Dementia is a progressive decline in a person’s level of cognition and memory. This decline affects a person’s independence, making it difficult for a person to perform day-to-day tasks.
It is so easy to overlook the ease with which we go about our routine daily activities like grooming or feeding oneself, however older people that have been diagnosed with dementia cannot perform these tasks without help. Recalling old memories becomes difficult, as well as retaining new information. This can be very frustrating to not just the affected person, but also their family and close friends who understand how well the person once performed in society.
Dementia is a public health burden that has serious psychosocial and even financial implications on both the immediate family of the affected person as well as the society.
What are the common causes of dementia?
Alzheimer disease is the most common known cause of dementia, representing up to 80% of all cases of dementia diagnosed.
Others are:
The type of dementia you have been diagnosed with determines the treatment which would be initiated by your doctor.
How do you know you have dementia?
A probable diagnosis of dementia is made by a doctor by asking some specific questions related to the neurocognitive disorder.
Furthermore, there are standard tools used by doctors to assess your cognition level. Some of these tools are: Mini Mental Status examination, and Montreal Cognitive assessment.
Taking the tests is not the only way to know you have dementia. It is important to have a full evaluation, including blood test and imaging to determine the most probable cause of the condition.
What can you do to slow dementia down?
Your cognitive function may decline due to many causes, therefore the ultimate management is to find the underlying problem.
There are many medications that have been approved for improving cognitive function with good success rates reported.
Alzheimer’s dementia can be slowed down using different classes of approved drugs. The response to these drugs differ, and not every patient will improve when on the medication.
Lifestyle modification is an important intervention to reduce your chances of coming down with dementia, although genetics play a strong role in dementia.
Is dementia reversible?
In some cases where dementia is caused by reversible metabolic changes such as high cholesterol or uncontrolled blood pressure, it can be minimally reversed by adjusting lifestyle and adhering to treatment programs.
Dementia however has no known cure. The mortality rate is quite high, with men having a higher risk than women. The prognosis is generally poor.
How can your family and friends help?
People living with dementia may be difficult to understand. It is important to know that cognition and memory improve with good social support.
Although they seem forgetful and dependent all the time, you need to understand that they are the same person they always were. Aging is an unavoidable consequence of living, and memories can get lost with time.
Support groups are very important in the management of dementia. Do not forget to ask for help when you need it. No one is expected to do it alone, so never feel shame in seeking assistance at any point.
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