The mental disorders are sometimes referred to as dementia, but only in lay man’s language. However doctors have different point of view. Doctors associate this term with group of disorders that collectively affect the functioning of brain. This disease is also sometimes referred to as the interference with the normal and rational functioning of the brain. This disease can affect the entire brain or some parts of brain or mutilation of memory. This disease often breaks the connection of nerve cells with the neurons and therefore such nerves die. Research has shown that it is not associated with the aging process because unlike normal aging this results in loss of nerve cells more frequently. But it usually starts at the age of 70 and can intense later in age of more than 80 years.
The major cause of this disease is Alzheimer’s disease (AD) it is named after a German doctor. Ad (AD) is the slow disordering of brain which results in memory loss in the earlier stage and inability to read and understand the data, literature and problem solving later on. The early symptoms of dementia are mere loss in memory. Later on many behavioral changes are evident. This is due to the presence of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Further symptoms of this dementia are the inability to judge and keep things, fear of unknown, hallucinations, jealousy, stealing in some cases, mental retardation, short term memory loss, behavioral problems, disorientation, severe mental decline and sudden changes in mood or mood swings.
Further more the memory is highly unprovoked and the patient often forgets where he or she was a moment ago. A woman of about 50 years of age was brought to the hospital for her inappropriate behavior. The family members told that she is acting as a stranger to her own home and showing the feeling of contempt and jealousy. She was also hiding objects from her own family members. Doctors tested her and asked her different questions and as expected she was unable to answer any of them. Also she was not aware of the fact that she is in hospital and for how long she was there.
She could read but was unable to understand anything. Moreover she was alarmed and petrified. When she died the doctors analyzed her brain and found that her brain was shrunk and that strange plaque and fibers were present. This later discovered to be the amyloid plaque and neurofibrillary tangles. She was the first case of dementia and she demonstrated all the symptoms of dementia. But her case showed most of the symptoms related to cognitive impairment like confusion, difficulty in concentration and forgetfulness.
Another syndrome of this disease is Down syndrome, it the mild to moderate disorder of brain due to genetic problems, and can be seen in newborn babies. This also shows that dementia is not related to age however most of the patients develop it in their late sixty’s. This disease is most often treated when a person shows the early symptoms however further treatment includes treatment with drugs and mental counseling.
Also see:- Dementia Treatment Guidelines
- Dementia Frequently Asked Questions
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[...] The mental disorders are sometimes referred to as dementia, but only in lay man’s language. However doctors have different point of view. Doctors associate this term with group of disorders that collectively affect the functioning of brain. This disease is also sometimes referred to as the interference with the normal and rational functioning of the brain. This disease can affect the entire brain or some parts of brain or mutilation of memory. This disease often breaks the connection of nerve cells with the neurons and therefore such nerves die. Research has shown that it is not associated with the aging process because unlike normal aging this results in loss of nerve cells more frequently. But it usually starts at the age of 70 and can intense later in age of more than 80 years. Source [...]