What Is Dementia

What is Dementia?

Dementia is a loss of brain function that is associated with certain diseases. “Problems may involve language, memory, perception, emotional behavior or personality, and cognitive skills (such as calculation, abstract thinking, or judgment). Dementia usually first appears as forgetfulness” (A.D.A.M., Inc, 2009).

As illustrated to the left, nerve cells are damaged and die, causing a reduction in mass, of the brain. Dementia its self is not a specific diagnosis, but a group of symptoms, arising from other disorders (most commonly Alzheimer’s disease). Decrease in problem-solving skills and judgment, disorientation, changed feeling (sensation) or perception, changed sleep patterns, impaired recognition (amnesia), lack of or poor language ability (aphasia), seeing or hearing things that aren't there (hallucinations) and having false ideas (delusions), severe confusion, personality changes, unable to be spontaneous, unable to concentrate.

Because dementia is not associated with just one disorder, it is becoming more common in the United States. Formally referred to as senility, or in ‘proper’ society, eccentric, it was concerted a common part of life. with “about 4-5 million people in the United States have some degree of dementia, and that number will increase over the next few decades with the aging of the population” (eMedicineHealth , 209).

Treatment options for dementia:

With dementia, the damage to the brain is irreversible. Alternatively, “treatments are aimed at lessening the symptoms and slowing the progression of the disease. Treatment may include a combination of drug and psychiatric or behavioral therapies” (University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). , 21009).

Drug Therapies include:

• Cholinesterase inhibitors -- These drugs increase the amount of a brain chemical called acetylcholine, a messenger chemical that is involved in memory and judgment.

• Memantine (Namenda) -- This drug works by regulating a chemical messenger...