Dementia

Dementia is a medical term that describes a series of symptoms relating to progressively worsening cognitive function. Although most people assume people with Dementia must have memory loss, it is not required for the diagnosis. For a doctor to diagnose a patient with Dementia they must have a progressive decline in two areas of mental processing including:

• Memory
• Language
• Attention
• Problem Solving
• Orientation
• Judgement
• Abstract Thinking

Causes & Types of Dementia
Dementia is typically subdivided based on symptoms and cause. Some of the most common forms of Dementia are listed below:

• Alzheimer's disease: Caused by protein deposits in the brain that destroy the brain neurons. It is a genetic disorder that primarily affects memory and the ability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). The most common form of Dementia.
• Vascular / Multi-Infarct Dementia: Caused by a single stoke or many strokes. Symptoms depend on which areas of the brain are affected. Second most common form of Dementia.
• Parkinson's disease: Caused by a decrease in the levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Not all patients with PD will acquire dementia, however symptoms include memory loss and decreased reasoning abilities.

Treatment for Dementia
Some more rare causes for dementia have reversible effects if diagnosed early enough. However for most patients, treatment will focus on delaying the effects of the disease with drill exercises, family training, and counseling to discuss later stages of the disease.