Age may bring wisdom but the downside to this is a tendency to forget things more easily but when this situation worsens, it may be a case of dementia. As other functions carried out by the brain are affected, many normal occurrences can become confusing for a person suffering with dementia.
The problem with dementia is that it is not a condition that affects us overnight but creeps up on us slowly so it may take some time to diagnose the problem and because it is not an illness in itself but a group of related symptoms, it needs to be treated as such. Sometimes though it is possible to treat dementia because whatever has caused it can be treated and there are even occasions where although the person may appear to be suffering with dementia, it is in fact depression that can have similar symptoms. Owing to the number of different conditions that can cause symptoms of dementia, it means that there are occasions where it can be treated and sometimes it might not even be dementia but a condition that mimics the symptoms like severe depression.
Examples of this include dementia caused by drugs or alcohol, or hormone or vitamin imbalances but because some causes of dementia can be cured or partially treated, it is very important that your doctor is thorough when making the diagnosis. While current figures indicate around 100 different conditions that can result in temporary dementia, only ten percent of dementia patients can actually be treated.
Dementia in the elderly can take on two different forms; reversible and chronic so when symptoms are reversible, the short-term dementia has been caused by another illness or disease. An elderly person has to go through many changes as they age, some of which happen very quickly and may be hard to adapt to which can cause problems which are not immediately apparent. These changes cause stress, both physical and mental which can lead to depression so the importance of a doctor being made aware of these circumstances cannot be underestimated.
Many other physical conditions that the elderly are prone to can also problems with sleep patterns, erratic mood swings and affect the amount of food they eat. Of course, medical conditions like hypoglycemia, liver and kidney problems, electrolyte imbalances and hypocalcaemia can all create problems that affect sleep, appetite and cause confusion. Problems with sight and hearing can be misinterpreted as dementia when a person loses the ability to fully perceive their surroundings as they used to so performing hearing and eye examinations is required if this seems to be the case.
Nutritional Imbalances can also cause dementia like symptoms and indicators of this include difficulty swallowing, chewing, or digesting food but the loss of the sense of smell, taste, or inability to eat due to dentures or trouble shopping can all contribute to nutritional deficiencies. Other conditions that cause permanent cognitive dysfunction like head traumas, cerebral degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's chorea must also be considered.
The only way to fully diagnose dementia is by using modern scanning techniques which may also help when searching for treatable conditions as well. Of course the long term effects of diagnosing chronic dementia mean that a power of attorney may be required plus adjustments to the affected person's home to make it safer and wherever possible, initiate behavioral training methods.
The problem with dementia is that it is not a condition that affects us overnight but creeps up on us slowly so it may take some time to diagnose the problem and because it is not an illness in itself but a group of related symptoms, it needs to be treated as such. Sometimes though it is possible to treat dementia because whatever has caused it can be treated and there are even occasions where although the person may appear to be suffering with dementia, it is in fact depression that can have similar symptoms. Owing to the number of different conditions that can cause symptoms of dementia, it means that there are occasions where it can be treated and sometimes it might not even be dementia but a condition that mimics the symptoms like severe depression.
Examples of this include dementia caused by drugs or alcohol, or hormone or vitamin imbalances but because some causes of dementia can be cured or partially treated, it is very important that your doctor is thorough when making the diagnosis. While current figures indicate around 100 different conditions that can result in temporary dementia, only ten percent of dementia patients can actually be treated.
Dementia in the elderly can take on two different forms; reversible and chronic so when symptoms are reversible, the short-term dementia has been caused by another illness or disease. An elderly person has to go through many changes as they age, some of which happen very quickly and may be hard to adapt to which can cause problems which are not immediately apparent. These changes cause stress, both physical and mental which can lead to depression so the importance of a doctor being made aware of these circumstances cannot be underestimated.
Many other physical conditions that the elderly are prone to can also problems with sleep patterns, erratic mood swings and affect the amount of food they eat. Of course, medical conditions like hypoglycemia, liver and kidney problems, electrolyte imbalances and hypocalcaemia can all create problems that affect sleep, appetite and cause confusion. Problems with sight and hearing can be misinterpreted as dementia when a person loses the ability to fully perceive their surroundings as they used to so performing hearing and eye examinations is required if this seems to be the case.
Nutritional Imbalances can also cause dementia like symptoms and indicators of this include difficulty swallowing, chewing, or digesting food but the loss of the sense of smell, taste, or inability to eat due to dentures or trouble shopping can all contribute to nutritional deficiencies. Other conditions that cause permanent cognitive dysfunction like head traumas, cerebral degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's chorea must also be considered.
The only way to fully diagnose dementia is by using modern scanning techniques which may also help when searching for treatable conditions as well. Of course the long term effects of diagnosing chronic dementia mean that a power of attorney may be required plus adjustments to the affected person's home to make it safer and wherever possible, initiate behavioral training methods.
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