What is Dementia? Let's talk about the different types of this condition.

Have you ever noticed that an elderly person in your home, perhaps your mother, father, grandmother or aunt, is different than before? You may have noticed that they sometimes forget things, get lost in familiar places, or behave more erratically than they used to. We often dismiss these things as "this is just how it is when you get older." But, that's not always the case. Sometimes these symptoms can be the first signs of a brain condition called dementia. So today we're going to talk about this.

What exactly is Dementia?

Simply put, dementia is not a single disease. It is like an umbrella. Under this umbrella, there are many conditions that affect brain function, especially memory, thinking skills, and behavior. These conditions can gradually worsen over time. But the good news is that with early detection and proper treatment, the rate at which the disease worsens can be controlled.

Dementia can be divided into three main categories:

1. Primary dementia: Here, dementia is the main condition. It does not occur as a side effect of another disease.

2. Secondary dementia: This is when dementia symptoms develop due to another medical condition, such as a stroke.

3. Reversible dementia: Sometimes, a simple cause, such as a vitamin deficiency, can cause symptoms similar to dementia. These symptoms will go away once the cause is treated.

Common types of dementia

Let's take a look at the most common types of dementia. The treatment you or your loved one has will depend on which type you have.

Alzheimer's disease

This is the most common type that comes to mind when most people think of dementia. About 70% of people with dementia worldwide suffer from this condition. Although the exact cause of Alzheimer's disease is not yet known, it is believed that aging, genetics, environmental factors, and lifestyle (diet, sleep, etc.) play a role. When you look at brain scans, you can see special changes that doctors call ``plaques and tangles.''

Vascular dementia

This is the second most common type. The main cause of this is a blockage in the blood flow to the brain. This risk increases with conditions such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, or stroke. Rather than starting with memory problems like Alzheimer's disease, this type often begins with difficulty planning, organizing, and making decisions .

General characteristics:

• Stroke-like symptoms (e.g., difficulty speaking).
• Getting easily agitated or confused, especially at night.
• Change in walking style (e.g. dragging the legs along the ground instead of walking with your feet planted firmly).
• Loss of body balance.
• Feeling an urgent need to urinate.

Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB)

Lewy bodies are a type of protein that accumulates between brain cells. They interfere with the communication between cells. A characteristic feature of this condition is the ability to see things that are not there (visual hallucinations) .

Other features:

• Difficulty thinking and concentrating.
• Hearing or smelling things that are not there.
• Talking, walking, and kicking in dreams.
• Symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease, such as body tremors or slow movements.

Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD)

Parkinson's disease is a condition that affects the nervous system. About 50% of people with the disease experience some changes in memory and thinking over time. This is very similar to DLB.

Symptoms include short-term or long-term memory problems, mood changes, and unusual beliefs (e.g., thinking that someone is trying to harm you).

Other types of dementia

In addition to the types mentioned above, there are several other types of dementia.

Mixed dementia

Some people may have more than one type of dementia. For example, they may have both Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. In such cases, the symptoms can be complex, making diagnosis and treatment challenging.

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD)

In this condition, cells in the front and side parts of the brain are damaged. These parts control our behavior, personality, speech, and movements. Therefore, these patients can see big changes in their personality and behavior . For example, they may behave in society without any shame, and they may say whatever comes to mind.

Young-onset dementia

Dementia usually affects older people, but it can also rarely affect people under the age of 65. This is called 'young-onset dementia'. Memory loss may be one of the first symptoms in these people. If you have this condition, it is very important to see a doctor as soon as possible.

Other rare varieties

There are several other rare types of dementia.

• Huntington's disease: This is a genetic disease.
• Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: A rare, rapidly spreading condition caused by abnormal proteins called ``prions.''
• Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH): A condition caused by insufficient circulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Symptoms can often be relieved by surgically removing the excess fluid with a shunt.
• Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS): A condition caused by thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, especially in people who drink heavily.
• HIV-associated dementia: Can be caused by the HIV virus infecting the brain.
• Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE): A condition that can occur due to repeated head injuries (e.g., in athletes, military personnel).

If you suspect that you or someone in your family has any of these symptoms, please do not ignore it. See a qualified doctor as soon as possible for advice. You may be referred to a neurologist. Early diagnosis and treatment can greatly improve your quality of life.

Dementia, Forgetfulness, Memory Loss, Brain Disease, Alzheimer's, Elderly Care, Aging, Symptoms