Dementia is a progressive condition of cognitive decline that is commonly associated with memory loss, despite the fact that there are other symptoms. The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer's disease.
Symptoms may vary depending on the cause and area of the brain affected. These symptoms include:
- Memory loss
- Trouble recalling recent events or remembering people and places
- Trouble finding the right words
- Inability to perform tasks such as following a recipe or writing a letter
- Problems with judgement
- Mood swings, aggression and agitation
- Not keeping up with self-care such as grooming or bathing
- Misplacing things
- A loss of judgement
- Personality changes
- Apathy
While incurable, there are a number of treatments that will treat the symptoms of dementia. These include medications to combat anxiety, depression, agitation, sleep disturbance, aggression and psychosis. Counselling for the patient and family can be helpful as well. Additionally, medications known as acetylcholinestrase inhibitors such as donepezil may allow for minor improvement in dementia, as well as delay the progress a little bit.
