The Common Causes and Symptoms of dementia

The Common Causes and Symptoms of Dementia

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Aug 7

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by Esther Dacamay

Memory function due to premature death of brain cells is what characterizes Dementia. It is estimated that more than 75% of today’s elderly population experience symptoms of this disease. It is also noted that dementia does not typically present itself in anyone under the age of 60. This debilitating disease causes a patient to experience memory loss and disorientation as it progressively kills off nerve cells in the brain. It is a degenerative disease that will continue to progress over several years.

At present, scientists have not yet found a primary cause for dementia. However, many have initiated several theories such as prolonged exposure to aluminum and copper. These elements are commonly found in antacids, antiperspirants, food and cookware. In addition, it is also theorized that genetics, environmental and pharmaceutical toxins, autoimmune factors, brain injury/trauma, cholinergic nerve destruction due to excitatory amino acids, gluten sensitivity or allergy to wheat, hypothyroidism, elevated homocysteine levels and excess cortisol from adrenals, which destroy optimal brain functioning were additional contributing factors. Finally, research has discovered that most dementia patients are also deficient in certain vitamins such as B12, zinc, selenium, potassium and boron.

The most common symptoms of dementia include memory loss, inability for abstract thought, impaired judgment, cognitive decline and the inability to carry out everyday tasks. As progression of this disease continues, short term memory lapse becomes acute memory loss. In its later stages, loss of vitality, acute anxiety, apprehension and mood swings and ineffective body movements become prevalent. In addition, intellectual ability such as inability to find the correct words or figure out simple mathematical calculations can also occur. Generally, night time can escalate these symptoms with violent behavior, belligerence, incontinence and involuntary actions; however there are some who become more docile and withdrawn.

Often times, patients do not realize that symptoms of dementia can be caused by prescription medications. They can also be linked to psychological deficits and altered behavior. Hence, it is very important that a patient be checked thoroughly before prescribing any medications. In addition, malnutrition can play a major role in symptoms of dementia. Preparing patients nutritious meals with plenty of vitamin B is vital to their brain function. Many of today’s elderly are malnourished; therefore it is highly imperative that they receive a proper diet combined with vitamin supplements to determine if this is the cause of their symptoms before turning to pharmaceuticals as the answer.

Subcortical and cortical are the two broad categories of dementia. The area of the brain that is being affected determines which category of dementia is present.

Subcortical dementia results from a decline of function in the parts of the brain that are beneath the cortex. Typically, language difficulties and memory loss are characteristic of cortical dementias are not present. On the other hand, people with subcortical dementias, such as Parkinsons disease, Huntington’s disease, and AIDS dementia complex, tend to show changes in personality and attention span. Furthermore, thinking tends to slow down.

Language and memory are the areas affected by cortical dementias. They are a result of a disorder affecting the cerebral cortex which is the outer layer of the brain. The most commonly known diseases associated with this form include Alzheimer’s and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Patients afflicted with these two diseases experience extreme memory impairment and the inability to recall words and understand common language, also known as aphasia. Furthermore, multi-infarct dementia can occur where both areas of the brain are affected.

About the Author:

Esther Dacanay has more than ten years of experience as an editor and news reporter. A highly regarded writer, she shares her knowledge about Dementia Symptoms and Dementia and Alzeimer Difference on Clivir.com.

Tags: mental illness, health, brain disease

Tagged as: alzheimers disease, brain disease, dementia, Diet & Fitness, disease, disorders, fitness, health, illness, mental illness

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