Dementias
Treatments
Insanities
Dementia is the name for a group of symptoms caused by disorders that affect the brain. It is not a specific disease. People with dementia may stop being able to think well enough to carry out normal activities, such as getting dressed or eating. They may lose their ability to solve problems or control their emotions. There may be personality changes. Patients may be agitated or see things that are not there. Memory loss is a common symptom of dementia. However, memory loss itself does not mean that you have dementia. People with dementia have serious problems with two or more brain functions, such as memory and language. Although dementia is common in older people, it is not a normal part of aging. Many different diseases can cause dementia, including Alzheimer's disease and stroke (CVA). There are medications that are available to treat these diseases. Although these medicines cannot cure dementia or repair brain damage, they can improve symptoms or slow the progression of the disease. Most types of dementia are irreversible (degenerative). It means that the changes in the brain that are causing dementia cannot be stopped or returned. Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia. Lewy body dementia (DLB) is a major cause of dementia in older adults. People with this condition have abnormal protein structures in certain areas of the brain. Dementia can also be caused by many small strokes, which is called vascular dementia.
The following medical conditions can also lead to dementia: Huntington's disease Multiple sclerosis Infections that can affect the brain, such as HIV / AIDS and Lyme disease Parkinson's disease Pick's disease Progressive supranuclear palsy Some causes of dementia can be stopped or counteracted if caught early including: Brain injury Brain tumors Excessive alcohol use Change in blood sugar, calcium, and sodium levels Low vitamin B12 levels Normal pressure hydrocephalus Use of certain medications, including cimetidine and some cholesterol-lowering drugs Dementia usually occurs in older age, is rare in people under 60 years of age and the risk of suffering from it increases as a person ages. Symptoms of dementia Symptoms of dementia encompass difficulty with many areas of mental function, including: Language Memory Perception Emotional behavior or personality Cognitive skills (such as calculating, abstract thinking, or judgment) Dementia usually appears first as I forget. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is the phase between normal forgetfulness due to aging and the onset of dementia. People with mild cognitive impairment have slight problems with thinking and memory that do not interfere with daily activities and are often aware of forgetfulness. Not all people with mild cognitive impairment develop dementia later. Symptoms of mild cognitive impairment include: Difficulty performing more than one task at a time Difficulty solving problems and making decisions Forgetting recent events or conversations Taking more time to carry out more difficult mental activities Early symptoms of dementia can include: Difficulty performing tasks that require some thinking, but used to be easy, such as keeping a checkbook balance, playing games (such as bridge), and learning new information or routines Getting lost in familiar routes Language problems, such as having trouble finding the Names of familiar objects Losing interest in things previously enjoyed: indifferent moods Misplacing items Personality changes and loss of social skills, which can lead to inappropriate behaviors As dementia worsens, symptoms become more obvious and interfere with your ability to care for yourself. Symptoms may include: Change in sleep patterns, frequent waking at night Difficulty performing basic tasks such as preparing meals, choosing appropriate clothing, or driving Forgetting details about current events Forgetting events in your own life history, losing consciousness notion of who it is Have hallucinations, arguments, violent behavior and hitting Have delusions, depression, agitation Increased difficulty reading or writing Poor discernment and loss of ability to recognize danger Using the wrong words, not pronouncing words correctly, speaking in confusing sentences Withdrawing from social contact People with severe dementia can no longer: Carry out basic activities of daily living, such as eating, dressing and bathing Recognizing family members Understanding language Other symptoms that can occur with dementia: Incontinence Swallowing problems At the Institute Carbonell you can find your psychiatrist in Palma de Mallorca, where Dr. Jose Carbonell and his team of psychiatrists and psychologists will advise you on the appropriate treatment for your needs.
