What Dementia Is - Assignment Example

Dementia Introduction Dementia as a medical term does not represent any specific disease (Sonty et al, 2007, p.1334). It is amedical term that defines the type of medical condition that is branded by a lot of symptoms that are not meant as normal part during the ageing process. It is a common problem found at the elderly stage of a person. 50% of the adult generation are victims of Dementia when they reach their late 80s (Caplan and Rabinowitz, 2010, p.1116). Dementia that is relevant to ailments occurs due to the relapse of cerebral matter and damage of brain chemicals. This dilemma occurs when the brain cells are damaged and worn out without being replaced (Fadil et al, 2009, p.262). Consequently, the process moves to degenerating brain that further leads to demise of mental functions. This leads to dementia. Various diseases lead to dementia. However, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of the conditions leading to dementia. The most apparent conditions of dementia are confusion and memory loss. Failure of memory is found to be quite rare (Mesulam, 2007, p.11). Anatomy and functions: Very similar to Alzheimer’s, dementia affects that part of the brain which is responsible for the maximum and most complicated as well as multiple number of functions, the frontal lobe. This part is located right above the eye, and the parts of the brain leading to it, which include the cortical and subcortical parts, are also affected. This part of the brain is developed later on in a child’s life, thus it determines the personality and learning skills of an individual human being. This part of the brain also helps a person in understanding the fear related to doing something or the awkwardness as well. Dementia brings damage to it to such an extent, that the patient feels trouble in many basic chores of our daily life, which include tying laces, talking appropriately or even touching someone without a reason. However, as the frontal lobes have multiple functions, damage to any different area will result in lack of numerous kinds of skills which are not restricted. Thus, the effects of dementia always or commonly vary per person. Therefore, the symptoms for this disease are not specified nor have any bound. Pathogenesis of dementia: Many causes result as the existence of dementia. Most of the causes are difficult to tell. Various medical conditions can cause symptoms of dementia. Nutritional deficiencies, intake of harmful drugs, head injuries, strokes, infections and various diseases are few causes of dementia. All the types of dementia reflect dysfunction that affects the brain tissues and cerebral cortex. In most cases the disease damages the cortex directly, while few others interrupt subcortical area (Lee, 2011, p.71). Diagnosis of Dementia: Dementia is a medical disease that is diagnosed on the roots of imaging tests, lab tests, mental status exam, physical examination and medical history. To identify if dementia is treatable or not, doctors carry out a number of tests that will help them treat the situation. Even if the found dementia is caused due to any reason that is not reversible, once the doctors know the type of dementia they will be able to prescribe proper treatments and medicines. If the type of dementia is not curable, then the treatments may not cure the disease. However, they will decrease the speed of progression and will improve the behavior and mood of the patient (Calleo and Stanley, 2008, p.24). Medical history In the state of dementia, the doctors examine the medical history of the patient. This will lead them to find out whether the patient has been affected by any past illnesses, physical problems or other events that may have resulted to be the cause of loss of memory or any other behavior changes. In order to grasp more detailed history, the doctors may interview a close friend or a relative who may suggest the cause of dementia (Shub and Kunik, 2009, p.93). At the time of physical examination, the doctors will focus on the patient’s tone of voice, general appearance, personality and behavior. People who display loss of inhibition and have less information about social awareness are the victims of Fronoto-temporal dementia (Geddes et al, 2005, p.141). Lab tests Blood and Lab tests are carried out to locate treatable solutions of dementia. These tests include: Thyroid function tests; in order to inspect for any underactive thyroid. Vitamin B12 blood test; to locate any vitamin deficiency. Complete Blood Count- CBC; to look out for body infections. HIV Test to look for AIDS and its symptoms. Liver function test (Galvin et al, 2006, p.1605) Prognosis of Dementia Treatable dementia: If the underlying reasons of dementia can be corrected, prognosis of treatable dementia is favorable. Hypothyroidism- underactive thyroid gland, chronic alcoholism, brain tumors, lead poisoning and vitamin B12 deficiency are known to be the treatable causes of dementia. Doctor will carry out tests to rule out the treatable solutions of dementia. To make sure that the symptoms will not return, the doctor will recommend certain medications and follow-ups if the dementia conditions to be treatable. Untreatable dementia: According to recent studies, Alzheimer’s disease starts to progress during the age of 8 till 15 years and is known as the worst disease of all. At present, no cure for Alzheimer’s disease is found. However, treatments for this disease are very helpful in order to alleviate various symptoms and help in the delaying of progression (Cullen et al, 2007, p.790). Another type of dementia is vascular dementia. The Prognosis of vascular dementia is entirely dependent on the extent of the damage caused before the diagnosis. The damage caused to brain in vascular dementia is never reversible. However, further damage is prevented by treatments and the undertaking of medicines that will help in controlling the factors such as high cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure. These medicines will not play any role in reversing the present damage caused to brain, but will help in lowering the future strokes that can cause damage to the brain (McKee A et al, 2009, p.735). Management in dementia Family physicians play a very important and vital role in the management of the patients going through Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. The most recommended interventions are Non-pharmacologic interventions as they are regarded as the initial strategy for managing and controlling problematic behavior. These strategies include assuring the patient’s safe environment and calm. Simple and basic interventions include refocusing and redirecting the patient, increasing their social interactions, giving those rewards after their success, diminishing frustration and conflicts and founding regular sleeping hours. The positive effects of behavioral management are entirely dependent on the care taker (Sager et al, 2006, p.25). Since the current therapies and treatments are not found to reverse the pathological processes of dementia, the initial aim of pharmacotherapy is to preserve functional ability and cognitive. They will also help in slowing the disease progression and minimizing the behavioral interruptions. References Calleo J, Stanley M. 2008. 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