Does your elderly mother, father, grandmother, or aunt forget things? Does she ask the same question over and over again? Does she act more stubbornly or anxiously than before? Sometimes we think these things are normal parts of aging, but they are not always like that. This condition can be the beginning of a condition called dementia. So let's talk about this today, as if we were talking to a friend, without feeling burdened.
What exactly is 'Dementia'?
Simply put, dementia is not a single disease. It is a collection of symptoms caused by different diseases. The main thing that happens in this is that our brain cells are damaged and the communication between them, that is, the exchange of messages, is lost. Think of our brain as an office in a large company. Each section works separately. There is a section for remembering, a section that helps with speech, and a section for making decisions. In dementia, the connection between these sections is lost, and the work of the entire office becomes chaotic.
As a result , thinking ability, memory, and reasoning ability weaken to the point where they are unable to perform their daily tasks on their own.
The important thing is that forgetting small things as we age and dementia are two different things. We need to understand the difference.
What is the difference between dementia and normal aging?
This is a problem that many people have. Let's understand this clearly.
| Forgetfulness that occurs with normal aging | Dementia disease |
|---|---|
| Sometimes, forgetting words, but then remembering them. | Forgetting even close relatives and friends. Using the wrong words instead of words. |
| Forgetting where you put things like keys and mirrors. | Misplacing things and thinking that others have stolen them. |
| Sometimes it's a little confusing when making a decision. | Inability to think logically and make decisions (e.g., money management). |
| It's time to think about what today is all about. | Loss of any understanding of the day, month, year, or time. |
| No impact on their daily work. | Difficulty performing daily tasks such as cooking and dressing alone. |
Are dementia and Alzheimer's the same thing?
No. This is also a place where many people get confused. Think of 'dementia' as a large category called 'fruits'. 'Alzheimer's' is like the 'mango' in that category of fruits. That is, among the many causes of dementia , the most common and main cause is Alzheimer's disease . 70%-80% of dementia patients have this condition. But apart from this, there are nearly 50 other causes that can affect dementia.
What are the main types and causes of dementia?
In addition to Alzheimer's disease, there are several other main types of dementia.
1. Vascular Dementia: This is caused by blockage or damage to the blood vessels leading to the brain. Conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and stroke increase the risk.
2. Lewy Body Dementia (LBD): This condition is caused by the accumulation of abnormal proteins called ``Lewy bodies`` inside brain cells. In addition to memory loss, symptoms such as difficulty walking, tremors (similar to Parkinson's symptoms), daytime sleepiness, and hallucinations are more common in this condition.
3. Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD): This is a condition where the front and sides of the brain are damaged. This causes changes in behavior, personality, and speech, rather than memory. A person who was previously very calm may suddenly become aggressive or withdrawn. Or they may become very talkative.
4. Mixed Dementia: Some people may have two or more types of dementia at the same time. For example, Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia may coexist.
What symptoms should we look out for?
See if anyone in your family has these symptoms. Don't be afraid to call it dementia just because you have one or two, but if they persist, it's important to seek medical advice.
- Short-term memory loss: Forgetting what was said a short time ago, asking the same question over and over again, forgetting where things were.
- Communication problems: Difficulty finding the right words, stopping in the middle of a conversation, difficulty understanding what others are saying.
- Getting lost even in familiar places: Not being able to find your way even in your own village or city.
- Difficulty completing complex tasks: Things that used to be easy to do, such as gardening, paying bills, and managing household expenses, are now no longer possible.
- Changes in personality and behavior: anxiety, suspiciousness, depression, a desire to be alone, or antisocial behavior.
- Difficulty making decisions: Inability to think logically and choose between good and bad.
- Changes in sleep patterns: Insomnia at night and excessive sleepiness during the day.
- Seeing or hearing things that are not there (Hallucinations): Seeing people or animals that are not really there.
How is dementia diagnosed?
One test cannot tell whether you have dementia or not. Your doctor will do several tests for this.
1. Conversation: The doctor talks to the patient and family and asks about the symptoms, when they started, and any other illnesses.
2. Testing memory and thinking ability: There are several ways to test memory, such as asking simple questions and drawing pictures.
3. Blood tests: Check for other conditions that can cause symptoms similar to dementia, such as vitamin B12 deficiency and thyroid hormone problems.
4. Brain scans: A CT scan or MRI scan can check for any brain shrinkage, damage from strokes, or tumors.
After looking at all of this, the doctor comes to a conclusion about whether this is dementia, and if so, what type it is.
Is there any treatment? What should we do?
Unfortunately, many types of dementia cannot be completely cured. However, symptoms can be managed, progression of the disease can be slowed, and the quality of life for the patient and their family can be improved.
The most important thing is to diagnose the disease and begin treatment as soon as possible.
These things are important in treatment:
- Medications: In some types of dementia, such as Alzheimer's, there are medications (such as `Cholinesterase inhibitors`, `Memantine`) that can help improve memory and thinking skills and slow down the worsening of symptoms. Your doctor may also prescribe medications to control things like agitation and depression. Never use these medications without the advice of a doctor.
- Occupational Therapy: An occupational therapist can help the patient do their tasks as independently as possible, make the home environment safe for the patient, and teach simple exercises that improve memory.
- Lifestyle changes: A balanced diet, regular exercise, staying social, and controlling diseases like blood pressure and diabetes are very important.
Things you can do as a caregiver for someone with dementia
Caring for someone with dementia is not easy. It is a big commitment. Keep these things in mind to help you.
- Be patient: Don't get angry if they ask or say the same thing over and over. They don't do those things out of spite.
- Communicate simply: Speak clearly in short, simple sentences. Don't give too many instructions at once.
- Create a consistent routine: Set a consistent time for things like eating, bathing, and sleeping. This will reduce their confusion.
- Think about safety: Keep dangerous items like knives and matches out of reach. Be careful as they may wander off on their own and get lost.
- Think about yourself: While caring for the patient, think about your own mental and physical health. If you are tired, ask for help from other family members. If necessary, seek counseling.
Take-Home Message
- Dementia is not a normal part of aging. It is a condition caused by damage to the brain.
- In addition to memory loss, watch for symptoms such as changes in behavior and personality, and difficulty performing daily tasks.
- If you notice symptoms, don't panic, and seek advice from a qualified doctor as soon as possible. The sooner the disease is diagnosed, the easier it is to manage.
- Although most types of dementia cannot be cured, treatment and proper care can help maintain a better quality of life for the patient and for you, the caregiver.
- Caring for someone with dementia is a challenge. Therefore, family support, patience, and love are very important. It is also essential to take care of your own health.
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