Dementia and Alzheimer’s have become much more prevalent in older adults within the past decade, and awareness about dementia is slowly but surely growing. While Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia (and one of the main focuses in the fight to find a treatment for dementia), many people cannot distinguish the difference between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, as well as the other forms of dementia that could potentially affect their loved ones. A study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggests that about 3.4 million Americans age 71 and older — one in seven people in that age group — have dementia, and 2.4 million of them have Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
Dementia is an umbrella term that describes the symptoms that occur when the brain is affected by certain diseases or conditions. The term ‘dementia’ describes a set of symptoms which can include loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with communication and reasoning. These symptoms occur when the brain is damaged by certain diseases and conditions. There are many different types of dementia. although some are far more common than others. Some of the variants of dementia are the following:
Alzheimer’s disease: Alzheimer’s disease is a physical disease affecting the brain. During the course of the disease, protein ‘plaques’ and ‘tangles’ develop in the structure of the brain, leading to the death of brain cells. People with Alzheimer’s also have a shortage of some important chemicals in their brain. These chemicals are involved with the transmission of messages within the brain. Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, which means that gradually, over time, more parts of the brain are damaged. As this happens, the symptoms become more severe.
People in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease may experience lapses of memory and have problems finding the right words. As the disease progresses, they may:
- become confused and frequently forget the names of people, places, recent events and appointments
- experience mood swings, feel sad or angry, or scared and frustrated by their increasing memory loss
- have difficulty carrying out everyday activities – they may get muddled checking their change at the shops or become unsure how to work the TV remote.
- become more withdrawn, due either to a loss of confidence, frustration or communication problems.
As the disease progresses, people with Alzheimer’s will need more support from those who care for them. Eventually, they will need help with all their daily activities.
Vascular dementia: The second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly; vascular dementia is often found in individuals who have experienced a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows an inconsistent progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. Some symptoms may be similar to those of other types of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease. However, people with vascular dementia may particularly experience:
- problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication
- periods of acute confusion
- symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis
- memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom)
- seizures
- depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia
- visual mistakes and misperceptions (for example, seeing a rug as a pond)
- changes in behaviour (such as restlessness)
- difficulties with walking and unsteadiness
- hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there) and delusions (believing things that are not true)
- psychological symptoms, such as becoming more obsessive.
HIV-related Cognitive Impairment: Individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can sometimes develop cognitive impairment during the course of the infection. This can be caused by the virus itself, which damages the brain and other parts of the nervous system. HIV also causes damage to the immune system; when the immune system becomes too damaged, unusual infections (opportunistic infections) and cancers can attack the brain also causing cognitive impairment.
Symptoms of HIV-related cognitive impairment may include:
- forgetfulness
- concentration problems
- language difficulties
- problems with short-term memory
- clumsiness/unsteadiness
- jerky eye movements
- changes in personality
- loss of appetite
- inappropriate emotional responses/mood swings
- hallucinations.
HIV-related dementia was once thought to affect as many as 40% of patients infected with HIV. With the advent of the effective treatment to control HIV infection, it now affects about 2% of those infected with HIV. However, less severe forms of cognitive impairment have been seen in patients on treatment, affecting approximately 20% of those with HIV infection.
Fronto-temporal Dementia/Pick’s Disease: Fronto-temporal dementia covers a range of conditions, including Pick’s disease, frontal lobe degeneration, and dementia associated with motor neurone disease. All are caused by damage to the frontal lobe and/or the temporal parts of the brain. These areas are responsible for our behavior, emotional responses and language skills. This form of dementia is relatively uncommon.
Typically, during the initial stages of fronto-temporal dementia, the person’s memory is still intact but they experience personality and behavioral changes. People with fronto-temporal dementia may:
- lack insight, and lose the ability to empathise with others. This can make them appear selfish and unfeeling
- become aggressive
- behave inappropriately – for example, making tactless comments, joking at the ‘wrong’ moments, or being rude
- lose their inhibitions – for example, exhibiting sexual behaviour in public
- become extrovert when they were previously introverted, or withdrawn when they were previously outgoing
- be easily distracted
- develop compulsive routines or rituals.
Parkinson’s Disease Dementia: Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects one’s movement. It develops gradually, sometimes starting with a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. But while tremor may be the most well-known sign of Parkinson’s disease, the disorder also commonly causes stiffness or slowing of movement. Key brain changes linked to Parkinson’s disease and Parkinson’s disease dementia are abnormal microscopic deposits composed chiefly of alpha-synuclein called “Lewy bodies”. Evidence suggests that dementia with Lewy bodies, Parkinson’s disease and Parkinson’s disease dementia may be linked to the same underlying abnormalities in brain processing of alpha-synuclein.
Symptoms may include:
- Slow movement (Bradykinesia): slowness in voluntary movement such as standing up, walking, and sitting down. This happens because of delayed transmission signals from the brain to the muscles. This may lead to difficulty initiating walking, but in more severe cases can cause “freezing episodes” once walking has begun.
- Tremors: Often occur in the hands, fingers, forearms, foot, mouth, or chin. Typically, tremors take place when the limbs are at rest as opposed to when there is movement.
- Rigidity: Otherwise known as stiff muscles; often produces muscle pain that is increased during movement.
- Poor balance: Often occurs because of the loss of reflexes that help posture. This causes unsteady balance, which can often lead to falls.
How Can Oxnard Family Circle help?
Oxnard Family Circle Adult Day Health Care Center offers caregiver respite and day care for seniors and adults of any age who require a caregiver. We provide transportation to and from our center for families in Ventura, Camarillo, Port Hueneme, Filmore, Santa Paula, Thousand Oaks, Oxnard and other areas of Ventura County. We serve two nutritional meals per day and provide entertainment, stimulating activities and physical therapy, occupational therapy and skilled nursing as needed. Oxnard Family Circle ADHC is also the only adult day health care center in Ventura County with a separate memory care unit for individuals who have dementia.
Dementia is a frightening and frustrating disease, but one of the most important aspects of managing this disease properly (For individuals experiencing the disease firsthand as well as family members) is understanding what form of dementia your loved one has so that proper treatments may be administered. Raising awareness for not only Alzheimer’s but all forms of dementia is crucial to help develop cures for this disease.
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