Dementia Research Paper
Dementia is a general term for loss of memory and other mental abilities severe enough to interfere with daily life. It is caused by physical changes in the brain which causes problems with memory, reasoning, behavior and motor skills. It is also called “Alzheimer’s Disease”. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s slowly worsen over time, and the disease is ultimately fatal. It is the most common form of dementia, which is defined as a loss of cognitive functioning and behavioral abilities that interferes with daily life. Other forms of dementia include vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, and frontotemporal dementia. Each of these diseases has its own set of specific symptoms.
Risk for Alzheimer’s increases greatly with age. After reaching 65, one’s …show more content…
Dementia is most common in elderly individuals, with advancing age being the strongest risk factor. Furthermore, comorbidity (the presence of more than one disease process) is the rule rather than the exception for dementia in elderly persons. They can also further be sub divided into Primary Dementia and Secondary Dementia. The primary type have multiple causative factors such as Genetic Factors, Biochemical and Brain structure factors, while the secondary type has Infection-related dementias, subcortical degenerative disorders, hydrocephalus, Vascular Dementia, Traumatic conditions …show more content…
Some people with dementia also have depression, which symptoms include sleeping problems, changes in mood, withdrawing from friends and relatives and difficulty concentrating. Also infections are part of the clinical manifestation in that it causes one to lose control of normal body functions. Complications of dementia can be both physical and mental. It is possible to help reduce the occurrence of some of these complications, firstly by encouraging the sufferers to see a doctor. Early diagnosis is important for improving cognitive health and slowing the progression of the disease. A typical of common complication is wandering. This occurs when one experience restlessness and sleeplessness due to disruption in their normal sleep patterns. As a result, they may wander out of home believing that they’re running an errand or going to
Risk for Alzheimer’s increases greatly with age. After reaching 65, one’s …show more content…
Dementia is most common in elderly individuals, with advancing age being the strongest risk factor. Furthermore, comorbidity (the presence of more than one disease process) is the rule rather than the exception for dementia in elderly persons. They can also further be sub divided into Primary Dementia and Secondary Dementia. The primary type have multiple causative factors such as Genetic Factors, Biochemical and Brain structure factors, while the secondary type has Infection-related dementias, subcortical degenerative disorders, hydrocephalus, Vascular Dementia, Traumatic conditions …show more content…
Some people with dementia also have depression, which symptoms include sleeping problems, changes in mood, withdrawing from friends and relatives and difficulty concentrating. Also infections are part of the clinical manifestation in that it causes one to lose control of normal body functions. Complications of dementia can be both physical and mental. It is possible to help reduce the occurrence of some of these complications, firstly by encouraging the sufferers to see a doctor. Early diagnosis is important for improving cognitive health and slowing the progression of the disease. A typical of common complication is wandering. This occurs when one experience restlessness and sleeplessness due to disruption in their normal sleep patterns. As a result, they may wander out of home believing that they’re running an errand or going to