1. Apprehensive About Alzheimer's?
Dementia itself is not a disease, but a symptom of disease. True dementia is only diagnosed when two or more significant symptoms affect the brain but are not caused by a loss of consciousness. The loss of memory, speaking or language skills are examples of significant symptoms that are used to diagnose dementia. Dementia is not considered a normal process of aging. Alzheimer's disease, the most common cause of true dementia, is a progressive disease that eventually leads to dementia.
2. Disease to Dementia
Diseases other than Alzheimer's can lead to dementia as well. Huntington's disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and Lewy body dementia are all diseases with dementia as a symptom. Some people in the advanced stages of AIDS and Parkinson's disease may also lead to dementia. Frontotemporal dementia is a type of dementia that runs in families. The symptoms of frontotemporal dementia occur between the ages of 40 and 65 and result in socially unacceptable behavior. Normal-pressure hydrocephalus is a condition of excess fluid in brain tissues, which can cause dementia if not diagnosed and treated quickly. Pernicious anemia, hypoglycemia and hypothyroidism are diseases that can lead to dementia if left untreated. The dementia from these diseases can often be reversed when people are treated quickly.
3. Infections That Can Cause Dementia
Infections that affect the brain can cause dementia. This type of dementia may be reversible if caught and treated in time. Encephalitis and meningitis are infections of the brain and meninges, which can cause permanent dementia if not treated quickly. Syphilis is a venereal disease that can lead to dementia if left untreated.
4. Dehydration, Depression and Drugs
Dehydration can cause confusion, which leads to dementia-like symptoms and is often confused with Alzheimer's disease, especially if there is difficulty with taking a medical history. Severe depression, especially in the elderly, can be confused with dementia because of feelings of worthlessness and apathy. Symptoms of dementia can also occur from drug reactions or drug interactions when taking more than one drug. These types of dementia can be reversed if caught early and treated appropriately.
5. Oxygen Depletion
Any illness or injury that causes lack of oxygen to the brain can cause dementia. Vascular dementia can occur as the result of hardening of the arteries in the brain or from a stroke. Other causes of oxygen depletion include anoxia, hypoxia, poisoning and brain tumors. Dementia from oxygen depletion will vary in severity, depending on the cause.
