Dementia
Many people ask, dementia in humans – what kind of disease is it. This is an acquired dementia. It is caused by an organic lesion of the brain. It can develop as a complication after one particular disease or have a polyethological character (for example, senile dementia). Pathology is formed in vascular diseases, Alzheimer's syndrome, head injuries, tumors in it. Excessive use of alcohol and narcotic drugs, infections in the central nervous system can also affect. With this pathology, patients with dementia have a deterioration in intellectual activity, will, affective disorders.
Symptoms and signs of dementia
Signs of dementia are manifested not only in elderly people, but also in young people. They account for about 9% of all cases. That is why it is important to diagnose the pathology as early as possible and begin its treatment. Help to identify dementia in the elderly symptoms and signs:
- problems with long-term and short-term memory (it is difficult for a person to remember different events, it is difficult to assimilate new information, he often forgets the names of relatives and close people);
- difficulties in making plans for every day or the future;
- disorientation in space and time (a person can easily get lost in their own neighborhood, forget where the bus is going, mix up dates);
- excessive distraction (patients with dementia leave their belongings in the wrong places, forget to turn off the gas, water and light when they leave the house);
- problems with thinking (it takes a lot of time to solve simple everyday tasks);
- rapid fatigue (and fatigue comes not from physical exercise, but from performing everyday tasks, mental work);
- unwillingness to work (the patient may leave the place of work without having any special reasons);
- sleep problems;
- loss of desire to learn something new;
- headaches;
- sloppiness (the patient does not take care of himself, stops cleaning the house);
- problems with speech, it is difficult to write words;
- sudden and frequent changes in mood or, conversely, constant apathy;
- sound and visual hallucinations (they rarely appear).
These are minimal changes in a person's personal condition, so it is necessary to pay attention to any nuances. Signs of dementia in women can develop against the background of age-related changes in the hormonal background (after menopause).
Causes of occurrence
The causes of dementia are associated with the defeat of the central nervous system. Such changes can be triggered by pathologies that can lead to degenerative processes and the death of cellular structures of the brain. With Alzheimer's syndrome, Peak or dementia with Levi's corpuscles, the cerebral cortex is destroyed, and this disease is of an independent nature.
There are also pathologies, it is against the background of which the development of secondary type dementia is possible. This disease can be a complication of atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels, hypertension, the presence of tumors in the central nervous system, drug, narcotic or alcohol intoxication. Head injuries and infectious diseases (meningitis, AIDS, encephalitis) also affect.
In elderly people, senile dementia is divided into several types, depending on the factor that provoked the disease:
- atrophic. It develops against the background of degenerative changes of the primary type in the brain. This form of the disease is also called Alzheimer's;
- vascular dementia. Nerve cells are affected a second time due to the fact that the blood supply to the brain is disrupted due to pathologies of the circulatory system;
- mixed type. In this case, it is a combination of the two previous forms.
There are also 2 more types of dementia – total and lacunar. In the latter case, the parts of the brain that are responsible for certain intellectual work suffer. Short-term memory is most often impaired. The patient may forget where he is now, what he planned to do or a phrase that he said just a couple of minutes ago. But he still has critical thinking, so he can analyze his own condition on his own. Emotional and volitional disorders are practically not expressed. In some cases, there are signs of asthenia, that is, a person is emotionally unstable, often crying. Lacunar form of dementia can be observed in many pathologies, especially at the early stage of Alzheimer's syndrome.
Total dementia is characterized by the disintegration of personality. Not only the intellect deteriorates, but also the ability to learn, the desire to develop, to work is lost. There are noticeable violations in the emotional sphere. The circle of interests is sharply narrowed. There is no shame, the need for moral norms. This form of dementia usually develops with tumors in the brain or impaired blood flow in the frontal lobes.
Risk factors
The main factors include:
- having relatives who suffer from dementia, especially if they are elderly;
- diabetes mellitus;
- tendency to obesity;
- lack of intellectual work every day.
These are risk factors for dementia. People who belong to one of these groups should periodically consult a doctor.
Complications
Dementia is a disease that gradually progresses. There are 3 degrees of the disease, depending on how the patient can adapt to the social environment. There are such stages of dementia:
- the first phase. In this case, the symptoms practically do not appear, except for a slight deterioration in intellectual activity. The patient can critically assess his own condition. He realizes that he needs to be treated. Patients at this stage are able to take care of themselves on their own, since the usual household activities are not difficult for them (this applies to cleaning, cooking, compliance with personal hygiene rules);
- the second. The patient has more gross violations in intellectual activity. They already perceive their own condition worse. There are problems with the use of the phone, household appliances. A person may forget to turn off the water, gas, light, not close the door of the house before leaving. In this case, patients need constant supervision, as they can harm themselves and other people without realizing it.;
- third. This is already a severe form of dementia, which is accompanied by a process of complete disintegration of the personality. Patients at this stage can no longer eat on their own, fulfill the norms of personal hygiene. They don't recognize relatives and friends. The ability to think logically is fading. They do not want to communicate with other people, become apathetic, do not want to eat and drink. Gradually, motor disorders begin, that is, the patient can no longer walk, chew food. Such patients need round-the-clock care.
The sooner it is possible to notice and diagnose dementia in a person, the more likely it is to prevent complications of this pathology and stop or at least slow down its progression. Senile dementia lasts 6-8 years and can end in death in a state of deep insanity. If you contact a doctor in a timely manner, you can slow down the course of the disease, delay the onset of the third stage.
When should I see a doctor
The symptoms and signs of dementia in the elderly are quite pronounced. Changes in personality can be noticed already at the first stages. If alarming signs appear, then you need to go to the hospital immediately. These include problems with memory, orientation in space and time, distraction, difficulty in making daily plans, deterioration of thinking, rapid fatigue from ordinary affairs, headaches, unwillingness to comply with moral and moral norms, rules of personal hygiene.
Dementia is diagnosed by a neurologist and a psychiatrist. You can make an appointment with specialists at JSC "Medicine" (Academician Roitberg clinic), which is located in the center of Moscow. Experienced doctors work here, various examinations and therapeutic measures of different directions are carried out.
Preparation for a doctor's visit
If there is a suspicion of a diagnosis of dementia, then it is necessary to consult a neurologist and a psychiatrist. No special preliminary training is required to visit these doctors. It is enough to write out on a sheet all the symptoms that have occurred recently, the frequency of their appearance, and how long ago they began. Do not delay visiting a doctor, as timely treatment will help slow down the course of the disease, delay the onset of severe form.
Diagnosis of dementia
What to do with dementia or suspected of it? In this case, it is necessary to undergo diagnostics. First, the doctor talks to the patient and offers to take tests to assess memory and cognitive activity. They ask him about known facts, the meanings of simple words, and ask him to draw something.
Also, the patient will additionally be assigned to undergo such examinations:
- computed tomography;
- magnetic resonance imaging;
- positron emission tomography;
- angiography of cerebral vessels;
- general and biochemical blood analysis;
- spinal puncture, etc.
You can complete all the studies at JSC "Medicine" (Academician Roitberg clinic), which is located near the metro station Mayakovskaya, Belorusskaya, Tverskaya.
Treatment
The treatment of dementia depends entirely on the factors that provoked the appearance of this disease. The process of nerve cell death is irreversible, so the disease is constantly progressing. There are no medications for Alzheimer's syndrome and other similar degenerative diseases. With dementia, a doctor can only slow down the development of pathological processes. If the disease is caused by a head injury, beriberi, then cognitive functions can be restored.
Home remedies
In the later stages, patients with dementia require round-the-clock care. Their quality of life is greatly deteriorating due to illness. They are experiencing strong physical and emotional stress. It is necessary to constantly monitor them, help them perform any actions, try to calm them down under severe stress.
Myths and dangerous misconceptions in treatment
The most important misconception people have about dementia is that they believe it is a natural process that occurs in old age. But this is not the norm. Of course, memory may deteriorate, but only slightly. With dementia, the person's personality completely disintegrates.
Prevention
- Quitting smoking and alcohol.
- Sports, walking in the fresh air.
- Rational and balanced nutrition.
- Getting rid of excess weight.
- Mental work.
- Timely treatment of all diseases.
- Avoiding stress, overwork.
It is necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle and be checked by a doctor periodically.
How to make an appointment with a neurologist or psychiatrist
You can make an appointment with a neurologist or psychiatrist at JSC "Medicine" (Academician Roitberg Clinic) by phone +7 (495) 775-73-60 or using the registration form on the website. Clinic address: 2nd Tverskaya-Yamskaya lane 10.