Dementia is typically associated with getting older. However, there are several different types of dementia caused by different conditions. Each has some symptoms in common with all the others, but each also has its own symptoms. This is why it is important to have an understanding of dementia symptoms and what they mean.
Senile dementia and Alzeimer’s dementia are both associated with old age. They are often mistaken for one another by non-medically trained personnel. Doctors have specific tests they can run to determine which type a patient is suffering from. This helps them in providing treatment for their patients’ conditions.
The most commonly seen symptom is loss of memory. This can be almost total or patchy. Many people begin to remember events from many years in the past clearly while they are unable to remember recent events. Others lose long term memory and keep their short term memory intact.
Not recognizing close family members, friends, and/or familiar places is typically associated with Alzheimer’s. However, it can be caused by senility in rare cases. Another common symptom is the inability to express thoughts or to name objects, even those handled on a daily basis.
For some people, dementia causes them to lose the ability to carry out normal tasks such as balancing checkbooks or following a written recipe. Some have difficulty performing routine calculations or exercising judgment such as that needed to react to an emergency.
Depression can be a common symptom. This can become severe enough that the person fails to take care of personal grooming or bathing properly. Being moody can be a part of this as well. The person may not seem to care about anything or they may fly off the handle at the slightest provocation.
In addition to these general dementia symptoms, some types have unique symptoms that can be identified quickly. One form, known as dementia with Lewy bodies, causes people to experience very detailed hallucinations visually. Frequent falling is also a symptom of this type of dementia.
Frontotemporal dementia can cause complete personality changes. Unusual behavior can be seen as well. Individuals may reach a point where they do not care about anybody else. They could be extremely rude verbally or make explicit sexual comments. Exposing themselves is also seen.
If symptoms develop very suddenly, a unique type of dementia known as vascular dementia may be present. The person may become delirious or experience short-term confusion as a result of a new illness or one that is getting rapidly worse.
Getting older does not automatically mean that one will become senile or develop any form of dementia. In fact, there is no certain age at which one should look for signs of onset. This disease has several different causes that can be identified by physicians. Some can be treated wit more success than others. However, before an effective treatment can be found, an understanding of dementia symptoms must be developed. This involves identifying those symptoms that are shared by most types of dementia as well as unique ones that are generally associated with only a single type.
Also see:- Dementia Treatment Guidelines
- Dementia Frequently Asked Questions
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3 Comments
I have read of cases where recovery is possible. Even if the brain cannot be physically healed, the rest of the brain can compensate with practice, re-learning what is lost.
Hello, Jeanne Haely
At this time, no, dementia cannot be cured. There are medications available that can slow the progress of the disease, but only for a period of time.
I was told by a Dr. that demenia is irreviserable and that there is no cure. We can only
work for more time. An MRI showed that I had slight atropy in the frontal part of my brain. You seem to beieve that there is at least possiblity that demencia can be cured.. Is this true? Please advise me about this.