Figure 1. Patient with dementia experiences memory loss and confusion
Table of Contents
Overview
Memory loss is annoying but can happen occasionally. There is little to worry about unless it happens frequently and starts affecting the daily life. It is normal for memory to be affected by stress, tiredness, certain illness, and medicines.
Becoming increasingly forgetful above 65 years of age could be an early sign of dementia and therefore best to be checked out by the General Practioner (GP).
The brain is a very complex part of the body and therefore the way it exactly works is not fully understood. Research is being carried out for a better understanding and this could lead to finding better treatments.
Dementia describes various symptoms affecting memory, thinking and social abilities (speaking, feeling, behaviour) which can severely affect daily life. Several diseases can cause dementia.
Although dementia generally involves memory loss, this has different causes. Having memory loss alone does not mean that you have dementia. However, it is often one of the early signs. Dementia is an ongoing decline in brain function, which is not a natural part of aging.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of a progressive dementia in older patients, but there are several other causes of dementia. Depending on the cause, some dementia symptoms might be reversible.
There is no cure for dementia, but early diagnosis and treatment/therapy support can help slow its progression and maintain mental function for longer.
More than 850,000 people in UK (about 676, 000 in England alone) have dementia (1 in 14 in over 65 years age; 1 in 6 over 80 year olds). This will increase to over 1 million by 2025 because people are living longer.
Signs & Symptoms
Dementia symptoms vary depending on the cause, but common signs and symptoms include:
Cognitive changes
- memory loss, which is usually noticed by someone else
- mental sharpness/quickness (thinking speed slow)
- difficulty communicating or finding words (language – using words incorrectly, trouble speaking; difficulty socialising & maintaining relationship)
- difficulty with visual and spatial abilities
- difficulty reasoning or problem-solving (judgement impaired)
- difficulty handling complex tasks (understanding difficulties)
- difficulty with planning and organising (difficulty doing daily activities leading to loss in independence or cannot care for oneself)
- difficulty with coordination and motor functions (movement difficulties)
- confusion and disorientation (getting lost while walking or driving)
Psychological changes
- Personality changes (lose empathy – understanding & compassion)
- Depression (Mood)
- Anxiety
- Inappropriate behaviour
- Paranoia
- Agitation
- Hallucinations
Causes
Dementia is caused by damage to or loss of nerve cells and their connections in the brain. Depending on the area of the brain that is damaged, dementia can affect people differently and cause different signs and symptoms.
Dementias of different type are often grouped together by what they have in common. Some diseases look like dementias, such as those caused by medications or vitamin deficiencies, may improve with treatment.
Progressive dementias
Types of dementias that progress and are not reversible include:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Vascular dementia
Other disorders linked to dementia
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Parkinson’s disease
Dementia-like conditions that can be reversed
Some causes of dementia or dementia-like symptoms can be reversed with treatment. They include:
- Infections and immune disorders
- Metabolic problems and endocrine (hormonal) abnormalities
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Medication side effects
- Brain tumours
Risk Factors
Many factors can eventually contribute to dementia. Some factors, such as age, family history and Down Syndrome cannot be changed.
Whereas other factors can be addressed to reduce your risk:
- eat a Mediterranean diet
- take regular exercise
- cut excess alcohol drinking
- control Diabetes Mellitus
- stop smoking
- control air pollution
- prevent head trauma
- sleep disturbance therapy
- Vitamin and nutritional deficiency supplementation (see Doctor)
- certain medications
Complications
Dementia can affect many body systems and thus the ability to function. Dementia can lead to:
- poor nutrition
- pneumonia
- inability to perform self-care tasks or cannot care for oneself
- personal safety challenges
- death
Patients with dementia may be vulnerable to COVID-19 infection. For further details see section on COVID-19 and vaccination.
Figure 2. Patient with dementia needs help from a Carer
Prevention
There is no sure way to prevent dementia, but there are steps you can take that may help. More research is needed, but it can be beneficial to do the following:
- keep the mind active
- be physically and socially active
- stop smoking
- ensure healthy vitamin levels (see Doctor)
- manage cardiovascular risk factors
- treat health conditions
- eat a healthy diet
- have a good restful sleep
- treat hearing problems
Diagnosis
If you think you have dementia, see your GP who can have tests carried out.
Treatment/Therapy support
There is no cure for dementia, but early diagnosis and treatment/therapy support can help slow down its worsening and maintain mental function for longer. The Doctor will discuss with the patient and/or their carer what and how things can be done.
Dementia
Written by BK Date created/updated 16.07.22
Reviewed by PJ Date Reviewed 23.07.22
