The Alzheimer's Association estimates that Alzheimer's disease, the leading cause of dementia, affects 5.3 million Americans and 35 million people worldwide. There are various causes of dementia and there are numerous treatments. Unfortunately, most dementias are progressive by nature and incurable at this time. Promising research suggests that there are better interventions on the horizon.
Dementia Defined
Dementia refers to a group of symptoms of decline in a person's intellectual and social interaction that limit her ability to effectively function in daily life. These declines are a result of degeneration of brain cells.
Difficulties remembering new information, understanding written and spoken language, confusion with time or place, personality changes, impaired problem-solving skills, reduced safety awareness, engaging in inappropriate behaviors or being easily agitated are some of the symptoms of dementia.
There must be at least two symptoms co-occurring to be diagnosed as dementia. Most dementias are progressive in nature, like Alzheimer's disease, the most common type of dementia. Some dementias are treatable and reversible.
Causes of Dementia
The causes for dementia vary. Alzheimer's disease accounts for up to 70 percent of all dementia cases. Other types of progressive dementias are vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia and frontotemporal dementia.
Huntington's disease, HIV and Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease can also cause dementia. Conditions that create dementia symptoms but are reversible, include reaction to medications, infections, metabolic problems and endocrine abnormalities, nutritional deficiencies, brain tumors, poisoning, subdural hematomas and others.
Medical Treatments
There is no cure for Alzheimer's dementia and there is no standard treatment. Several medications have proven effective in delaying the worsening of symptoms for up to 6 to 12 months for about half the people who take them. Antidepressants and sedatives are used to treat other symptoms and behavioral problems, but can sometimes exacerbate existing problem behaviors.
Behavioral Treatments
Caregivers of the person with dementia can help limit behavioral symptoms by maintaining a calm and stable home environment, simplifying the style of their interactions to reduce possible confusion, minimize changes in daily routine and provide an environment that reduces any challenges to the person's comfort and security. Caregivers are advised to develop a support system by attending a support group and having regularly scheduled respite care.
Speech-language pathologists can develop strategies to help preserve memory and cognitive functions for the person with dementia for as long as possible. Several strategies are the development of a memory book to assist with recalling personal information; use of written cues to assist with completing tasks and supporting memory; and training family members how to better communicate with their loved one.
Reducing Risks for Dementia
Age is the greatest known risk factor for dementia. The Alzheimer's Association estimates that a person's risk for developing Alzheimer's disease doubles every five years after reaching the age of 65. Also, family history of the disease increases a person's risk.
MayoClinic.com offers the following suggestions for preventing or delaying the onset of dementia: Be active physically, socially, and mentally; maintain a healthy diet; maintain a low blood pressure and low cholesterol level; and continue to learn new information, as it's good for the brain.
A Better Future
The National Institute of Health conducts research on dementia at its laboratories and supports additional research through grants to other medical research facilities. The Alzheimer's Association reports advances in the early detection of Alzheimer's disease, the identification of biological and lifestyle risk factors, and promising new therapies.
