Don’t Say That Word “Dementia” or the Many Phase of Dementia, Essay Example

Introduction to the Disease

“The term dementia refers to a set of symptoms, not the disease itself.” (Lunde, 2009).

When dementia strikes you or your family it can be a monstrous nightmare. The disease controls your brain particularly the cognitive functions processes such as thinking, reasoning, learning, problem solving, memory and speech are all interrupted. Dementia can take temporary form such induced by intoxication, liver disease or infection or can manifest in a more severe chronic form such as Alzheimer’s disease. Personality and Behaviour changes result as symptoms of Dementia and are diagnosed as occurrences that continue normally for more than a six month period.

Types of Dementia and Brain Anatomy

Dementia takes form as a temporarily symptoms or chronic symptoms which eventually lead to MIA and Alzheimer’s disease. Messages to and from the brain take place in the cerebellum “and are handled by the opposite side of the brain.” (Lunde, 2009). The frontal lobes of the brain handle the short-term thinking, processing and control-thinking processes. The parietal lobes interpret sensory related information. The occipital lobes process things that your eyes see with relation of images stored in your memory. The temporal lobes process information from your senses and further play a role in storing memories. “Alzheimer’s disease disrupts both the way electrical charges travel within cells and the activity of neurotransmitters.” (“Alzheimer’s Cell Signalling”).

Mild cognitive impairment is the stage where the onset of dementia occurs before it progresses to full blown Alzheimer’s disease. As such this is when there is an onset of cognitive loss in patients. Front temporal dementia affects mainly the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain inducing personality and behavioural changes. This symptom often occurs as early as the age of 40 and is often misdiagnosed as a psychiatric problem. Vascular dementia is caused by a block of the blood vessels to the brain and there is a treatment for such symptoms. Lewy body dementia causes confusion in the patient. Visual hallucinations are often one of the first signs of this diagnosis. This symptom particularly affects movement and thinking. Neurosyphillis dementia caused heart trouble, paralysis and loss of muscle coordination and caused by late stage demensia.”Viral, bacterial and fungal infections can lead to symptoms of dementia such as inflammation of the brain but can be reversed.

Alzheimer’s is the most common causing social and intellectual impairment that interferes with a person’s daily activities.

Association With Other Diseases

Lou Gehrig’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease are all associated with symptoms of dementia. “Creutz-Jacob Disease is also linked to dementia and other nervous system problems such as involuntary jerks of the limbs.” (“Dementia”).

Look For These Warning Signs

The most prevalent warning sign that you or a loved one might be experiencing Dementia is memory loss. Other symptoms include the inability to concentrate and disorientation in familiar surroundings. Typically a person with dementia will not be able to recall his or her birth date and as the disease progresses perhaps an inability to remember even his or her name. As the symptoms progress the patient may even show anger and frustration and an inability to control their anxiety.

Causes of Dementia

“Brain structure is disrupted by the formation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) and neurotic plaques (NP). Formation of NFT and NP causes disruption of the integrity of brain cells and leads to brain cell death.” Studies show that genetic risk factors contribute to the chance of developing chronic dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease. (“Causes of Dementia”). No scientist has developed a cure or a drug to prevent the aging process, thus aged people will continue to be at risk of dementia.

Treatment and Diagnosis

Often delirium and dementia are confused hence doctors must be very careful to diagnose the symptoms carefully. “Delirium is normally caused by temporary external influences such as infectious disease, brain tumour, poisoning, drug or alcohol intoxication or withdrawal, seizures, head trauma, and metabolic disorders.” (“Dementia”). Brain scans and other quantitative tests such as lab tests are not sufficient to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. Cognitive processes are tested according to how the patient answers the questions. Thyroid disorders, depression, chemical imbalances and other factors have to be ruled out to establish a dementia diagnosis. These are ruled out both qualitatively and quantitatively. CT scans and MRI can help to establish the possible abnormalities consistent with the disease but do not give a definitive diagnosis.

Neurological testing is the most precise way to pinpoint a diagnosis of dementia (MCI). The testing is carried out by a psychologist who involves specific questioning geared towards spotting cognitive abnormality functions in patients. Further it addresses the patient’s mood and anxiety level and functions to discover if there is any presence of hallucinations. “Reasoning, abstract thinking, and problem solving also are tested.” (“Possible Early Dementia”).”Fluctuation of periods of clear thinking and periods of confusion are quite common in the early stages of Alzheimer’s.” (Lunde, 2009). Upon testing by Electroencephalography a person with dementia will present a brain wave of extremely slow activity.

Cholinesterase inhibitors have been found to be most successful for the treatment of dementia. “Acetylcholine is an important neurotransmitter to the messaging system of the brain which is impaired by dementia diagnosis. Cholinesterase acts to prevent the breakdown of this neurotransmitter to the brain by providing enzymatic effect to the patient as a stimulus to improve cognitive thinking and everyday behaviour. Exelon and Aricept and Reminly are two well known established enzymes to promote a temporary cure for Alzheimer patients. There is no permanent fix for this disease. “Use of tranquilizers and sedatives are often used to ease the anxiety symptoms associated with the disease.” (“Dementia”).

Preventative Measures

Research shows there is no known cause for MCI. It is known that most people who develop MCI eventually develop Alzheimer’s disease. There is some suggestion that an abnormal amount of protein in the brain may be the root cause of the disease. The presence of a low level of neurotransmitters in the brain makes a patient prone to developing the disease. Since the development of Alzheimer’s is a gradual thing, recognizing the underlying symptoms at an early stage can help to slow down the process. “Studies show consuming a diet high in beta-carotene and vitamins E and C may lower a person’s risk for dementia, further eating a diet low in saturated fats and not smoking can lower the risks of stroke which may lead to dementia.” (“Dementia”). Avoiding excessive use of alcohol based products can reduce the underlying risks associated with dementia and vitamin deficiency, seizure and head related injuries. Keeping in mind syphilis infection can lead to dementia symptoms, practising safe sex and regular visits to your doctor for preventative care.

Conclusion

As previously stated dementia is a symptom to other diseases. It manifests itself in the frontal and temporal lobes of the cerebellum particularly and “eats away” at the cognitive functions of a normal person. There is no known cure for chronic dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease but there are some forms of medication which can aid to slow the process or help with subsidiary symptoms of anxiety and depression associated with such disease. Temporary dementia symptoms can be eliminated if they are diagnosed in a quick manner. There has been much progression in medicine, but there will always be the natural progression of age which will not eliminate the risk of Alzheimer’s.

References

Possible Early Dementia (2009) Retrieved September 27, 2009 from, http://www.emedicinehealth.com/possible_early_dementia/page5_em.htm#Exams%20and%20Tests

Lunde A. (2009) Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia are Different Retrieved September 27, 2009, from http://mayoclinic.com/health/alzheimers-disease-and-dementia/AZ00053

Dementia (2009) Retrieved September 27, 2009 from, http://www.neurologychannel.com/dementia/causes.shtml

Causes of Dementia Retrieved September 27, 2009 from, http://www.health24.com/medical/Condition_centres/777-792-798-1583,17526.asp

Alzheimer’s Cell Signalling Retrieved September 27, 2009 from, http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_4719.asp