Dementia is the progressive loss of cognitive abilities, such as memory, attention and learning, which leads to the loss of independence to perform daily activities. The main forms of dementia in the elderly are Alzheimer's and the vascular dementia.
Dementia can be evolutionary, static or reversible. THE evolutionary is characterized by progressive cognitive decline caused by neurodegenerative, vascular or infectious diseases. THE static is caused by brain injury from trauma or infection. The dementia reversible is caused by lack of vitamin B12 and hypothyroidism.
Signs and symptoms of dementia manifest in memory, ability to perform tasks, visual and spatial ability, language and behavior or personality. In most cases, the first symptom of dementia is recent memory loss.
Others symptoms of dementia may include forgetfulness of appointments and events, difficulty performing routine tasks, difficulty communicating, lack of orientation in time and space, impaired judgment and ability to act, difficulty in reasoning and planning, frequent changes in mood and behavior, personality, lack of initiative, among others.
As the cognitive decline progresses, the person needs supervision to perform everyday tasks and can not leave the home without an escort. At advanced phase of dementia, there may be difficulty getting around, motor problems, loss of stool and urine control, and difficulty swallowing food.
O aging is the main risk factor for developing dementia. Other factors include low schooling, high blood pressure, diabetes, change in cholesterol or triglyceride levels, and smoking. On the other hand, some factors seem to reduce the risk of senile dementia, such as intellectual stimulation and involvement in social interaction activities.
Dementia There is no cure., except reversible dementias. The treatment is done with medicines that stabilize the picture or diminish its progression, improving mainly memory and attention.
The treatment of dementia may also include management of possible psychiatric complications, such as hallucinations, paranoia, agitation, among others.
The person skilled in the art to treat dementia may be the family doctor, general practitioner or neurologist.
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