What Is Dementia Symptoms Types And Diagnosis
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Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning thinking, remembering, and reasoning to such an extent that it interferes with a person’s daily life and activities. Some people with dementia cannot control their emotions, and their personalities may change. Dementia ranges in severity from the mildest stage, when it is just beginning to affect a person’s functioning, to the most severe stage, when the person must depend completely on others for basic activities of living.
Dementia is more common as people grow older but it is not a normal part of aging. Many people live into their 90s and beyond without any signs of dementia.
There are several different forms of dementia, including Alzheimers disease. A persons symptoms can vary depending on the type.
Can A Blood Test Detect Dementia
A new blood testing technique could help researchers detect Alzheimers disease prior to onset or in those showing early signs of dementia. The approach could be more cost effective and less intrusive than the current tests. Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine have developed a blood test that can detect the presence of beta-amyloid plaques in the brains of people with early-onset Alzheimer disease .
The test, which is currently being tested on a small group of patients, could also be used to screen for other neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinsons and Huntingtons, that may be associated with the disease, according to the study, published online today in Nature Medicine.
This is the first time weve been able to show that this test is sensitive and specific enough to be useful in diagnosing early stages of AD, said study senior author Dr. Daniela Rus, a professor of neurology at UCSF and director of the Center for Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology .
They Are Not To Blame For Their Disease
Its not their fault. Yes, there are some things that research says may reduce the chances of developing Alzheimers, but there are many people who have developed the disease despite practicing those healthy habits. We still arent sure exactly what triggers Alzheimers to develop, so let go of the thought that they shouldve done this or that to avoid the disease. It’s of no help to either one of you.
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What Does Dementia Feel Like
This informative and moving video from Social Care Institute for Excellence explains some of the things a person with dementia or Alzheimers disease experiences on a daily basis. Were taken through an average day through the eyes of a dementia patient and listen as she details her confusion and trains of thought.
The film powerfully demonstrates some of the confusing and often frightening occurrences dementia patients go through, some of which youd expect, such as having trouble remembering where they are or who different people are, but some of the symptoms are more physical and eyesight problems are common. We get to see how unpredictable dementia can be and how difficult it is for caregivers and patients.
What exactly is Alzheimers disease? Heres what you need to know.
Alzheimers News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
How Is Alzheimers Treated Differently Than Dementia
Not only do they display many of the same symptoms, but Alzheimers and dementia also share some of the same treatments. These include medications that can help support cognitive function, such as cholinesterase inhibitors or memantine, both of which have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
With proper treatment, some forms of dementia are reversible such as in cases where theres a tumor or some sort of vitamin deficiency, though these cases arent as common. In theory, you could have dementia due to a vitamin B-12 deficiency or hypothyroidism, and so we always check blood work to make sure neither of those are the cause, he says.
There are also some non-medicated treatments, Dr. Ramanan recommends that people with dementia stay active physically, socially, and cognitively. This means getting a full nights rest and eating a healthy and balanced diet.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Dementia Towards The End Of Life
Dementia is progressive, which means it gets worse over time. In the last year of life, its likely to have a big impact on the persons abilities including memory, communication and everyday activities. The speed at which someone will get worse will depend on the type of dementia they have and who they are as an individual.
Michael: Caring For Someone With Dementia
Teacher Michael Fassio cared for his Italian-born mother Renza through the progressive stages of dementia from 2001 until her death in 2008.
At first I didnt face up to the fact that Mum had dementia. I thought of it as forgetful and scatty. I did notice she used the weekly television guide as a calendar to mark when I was going to visit, even though I went on the same day. But she went shopping as usual, and still cycled. She was 75.
But a neighbour later told me that sometimes she got very upset with herself for being forgetful. Then one day she got lost when cycling locally. My sister, whos a nurse, realised what was happening and tried to tell me.
Living with mum
Twelve months later, however, Michael was finding it hard to cope and still finds that time difficult to talk about. Mum became irrational and would hallucinate and get terribly upset. I remember saying Dont worry, Ill be your memory but I also had to pacify her when she thought she saw people in the garden.
This passed but Renza also stopped speaking English and reverted to the Italian of her childhood.
Increase in demands
Renza became ever more childlike. Even if given to dramatic explosions of Italian temper that Michael laughingly likens to a performance by Sophia Loren. He even managed to fulfill her dream of a visit to her sister in Italy. Not that easy because, although you can ask for assistance with travel, people with dementia hold no truck with timetables!
Also Check: How To Spot Early Dementia
What Are The Most Common Types Of Dementia
- Alzheimers disease. This is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60 to 80 percent of cases. It is caused by specific changes in the brain. The trademark symptom is trouble remembering recent events, such as a conversation that occurred minutes or hours ago, while difficulty remembering more distant memories occurs later in the disease. Other concerns like difficulty with walking or talking or personality changes also come later. Family history is the most important risk factor. Having a first-degree relative with Alzheimers disease increases the risk of developing it by 10 to 30 percent.
- Vascular dementia. About 10 percent of dementia cases are linked to strokes or other issues with blood flow to the brain. Diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are also risk factors. Symptoms vary depending on the area and size of the brain impacted. The disease progresses in a step-wise fashion, meaning symptoms will suddenly get worse as the individual gets more strokes or mini-strokes.
- Lewy body dementia. In addition to more typical symptoms like memory loss, people with this form of dementia may have movement or balance problems like stiffness or trembling. Many people also experience changes in alertness including daytime sleepiness, confusion or staring spells. They may also have trouble sleeping at night or may experience visual hallucinations .
Terrifying Distortions Of Reality Inside Your Own Home
While the familiar surroundings of home bring comfort to most people, dementia patients may not see it that way. The disease can distort their perception of the most innocuous thing, like a shadow or polka dot walls.
In the dementia patients living room, busy wallpaper can overwhelm the senses. Normal dots can start to look at bugs moving along the walls like ants.
Shadows also play tricks with depth perception. The normal shadow of a table or chair can seem like a bottomless pit in the middle of the room. Researchers say this can scare dementia patients into walking around shadows in their own home or avoiding some rooms completely. Other depth perception issues include seeing objects out of a window. The scene outside can appear distorted, even if objects are close by.
Sensitivity to light is another symptom of the disease. They may even perceive the soft glow of a dim lamp to be blinding and uncomfortable.
From noticing changes in behavior when walking into rooms to neglecting plants, dementia can take many forms on someones way of life. But, through the use of various tools and tools and approaches, those living with dementia are still able to function well , Dr. Palmer concludes.
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Manifesto For Dementia With Dignity
This is a manifesto for my book, Dementia With Dignity. It explains what it is like to experience dementia. Its important that we keep in mind that dementia is a condition, one that is progressive and that we cannot cure with medications. Please take some time to consider each statement below and think about what your loved one is experiencing as their dementia progresses. Keep in mind that our actions and words reflect our feelings, not a diagnosis we may have been given. And when someone is losing cognitive skills theyve relied upon their whole life, they will be distressed.
Check Their Advance Care Plan
You should find out if the person has an advance care plan. This document may record their preferences about the care theyd like to receive, including what they want to happen, what they do not want to happen and who they want to speak on their behalf. It may include an advance statement or an advance decision. We have information on planning ahead for patients and their families, which you might find useful.
Read Also: Can You Slow Down Vascular Dementia
You Are Not Alone We Provide Expert Information And Support To Anyone Affected By Dementia
- Call our Dementia Connect support line if youd like to talk to someone for information, support or advice on .
- If you speak Welsh, call our Welsh-speaking support line on .
- For callers to the Dementia Connect support line who do not have English as their language of choice, we can arrange a simultaneous language translation service.
- Browse our online community Talking Point, and sign up to share your experiences with other people affected by dementia.
What Should You Not Do With Dementia
Dont tell them they are wrong about something, dont argue with them, dont ask if they remember something, and dont remind them that their spouse, parent or other loved one is dead. This is one of my favorite things to do. Its a great way to start a conversation with someone you dont know very well.
If youre not sure what to , just something like, Well, Im sorry to hear about your husbands death. I know he was a good man, but I cant imagine what it must be like to lose someone so close to you.
Or, if you know the person well enough, you can things like: I know youve been through a lot in the last few years. Youve lost your father, your mother, a brother, an uncle and a sister. I think its important to remember that you are not alone.
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Are There Any Treatments For Dementia
There are treatments that can help with the symptoms of some forms of dementia for a period of time, but there are currently no treatments that slow, halt or reverse the changes in the brain caused by the diseases. There are currently no treatments specifically for vascular dementia or frontotemporal dementia.
In the case of vascular dementia, a doctor may prescribe medication to treat underlying cardiovascular risk factors like high blood pressure or diabetes. Physiotherapy, speech therapy or occupational therapy may be offered to help with speech or movement problems. Non-drug treatments such as cognitive therapies may be available and can help some people with dementia to manage their symptoms.
Alzheimer’s Society has more information on treatments for dementia.
Dementia Symptoms: What Caregivers Should Know
As a caregiver, you may find certain dementia symptoms frustrating, baffling, and sometimes frightening. But what is the other side of the story? What is your mother doing — and feeling — when they put their wedding ring in the freezer or accuse you of stealing from them? Here are some clues to understanding dementia behavior.
- Anxiety and Depression. It can be difficult for a caregiver to see a loved one â who may have been generally optimistic and easygoing when they were well — become anxious or depressed. Both are common dementia symptoms, and itâs hardly surprising. While their memories may fade, people with dementia are aware of whatâs happening to them, at least in the early stages. They know that they have an incurable, degenerative disease. They can feel the scope of their world becoming more and more confined as they lose freedoms like driving. They know that theyâre losing part of themselves too.âPrior to having this disease, I wasnât a person who needed to ask for help much,â says Becklenberg. âBut now I do, and itâs been a blow to my self-assurance and self-esteem. I canât participate fully in life like I used to, and itâs a huge loss.â
- Wandering. Itâs not uncommon for a person with dementia to wander â to walk out of the house in a seemingly random direction. Caregivers can find this dementia symptom mysterious. Why would a loved one leave the safety of their home to wander through unfamiliar streets?
Recommended Reading: Can People With Dementia Read
Psychological And Psychosocial Therapies
Psychological therapies for dementia include some limited evidence for reminiscence therapy , some benefit for cognitive reframing for caretakers, unclear evidence for validation therapy and tentative evidence for mental exercises, such as cognitive stimulation programs for people with mild to moderate dementia. Offering personally tailored activities may help reduce challenging behavior and may improve quality of life. It is not clear if personally tailored activities have an impact on affect or improve for the quality of life for the caregiver.
Adult daycare centers as well as special care units in nursing homes often provide specialized care for dementia patients. Daycare centers offer supervision, recreation, meals, and limited health care to participants, as well as providing respite for caregivers. In addition, home care can provide one-to-one support and care in the home allowing for more individualized attention that is needed as the disorder progresses. Psychiatric nurses can make a distinctive contribution to people’s mental health.
Some London hospitals found that using color, designs, pictures and lights helped people with dementia adjust to being at the hospital. These adjustments to the layout of the dementia wings at these hospitals helped patients by preventing confusion.
Cognitive training
Personally tailored activities
I Showed Up At The Wrong Airport
Courtesy Bart Brammer
Bart Brammer, 72, Old Hickory, Tennessee
I was starting to confuse my dates, my hotels, my rental cars, my airplanes, says Bart Brammer, 72, a former corporate trainer who had a 30-year career in automotive manufacturing.
His travel-heavy work schedule had him visiting three locations in a typical week. I showed up at the wrong airport. I showed up at the wrong training site. I showed up a day early, he remembers.
But he didnt go to the doctor. He thought his issues were caused by stress, his busy schedule or working too hard.
It wasnt until he had a stroke at age 70 that things changed. While he was in recovery, managing a stutter and memory loss, his doctor ordered a PET scan. The imaging test revealed that he had early-stage Alzheimers, and dementia was setting in.
Though planning for this quick absence of mind has been difficult, Brammer says, whats even more challenging is not being able to plan for the future. If someone asks what hes doing on July 4th not this year, but next he doesnt have an answer. I cant think that far ahead because of the fear I may not be around. And theres no way of knowing, he says.
Brammer kept his diagnosis a secret for six months, mostly because he was so worried about the stigma. Some people with Alzheimers are living in absolute fear, he says. Theyve just pretty much crawled inside their shell and said, OK, thats all there is. Theres no more. This is how its gonna be.
More on Dementia
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Help Me Dont Prevent Me
We have two sets of thinking skills and Im only losing the secondary set. Im losing rational thought but I am not losing intuitive thought. Please understand the difference. Rational thought is all about manipulating facts. It helps us organize information, check off lists, see cause and effect, evaluate, compare, and come to decisions. Youre right. Im becoming less able to do those kinds of things. I need your help with those.
But I am not losing my intuitive thought processes. I can read your expression and body language very, very well. I know how you feel and I know how I feel, even if I cant think of the right word to express it. I can enjoy beauty in all its forms. I can see, hear, touch, feel touch, smell, and taste. Please help me explore all the beauty this world has to offer. I want to experience it with you. Dont lock me away or isolate me in hopes of keeping me safe. I need beauty and companionship more than ever.