Though its not really a disease, it's mostly a symptom to a mental disease. It's a decline in memory, ability of social interaction and intelligence. It affects a person to the extent that it affects their normal life and their daily activities. A person suffering from dementia has trouble remembering things, taking decisions, focusing and even visual perception.
TYPES:
- Alzheimer's disease -upto 70-80% cases of dementia
- Vascular dementia- upto 22-25% cases of dementia
- Lewy body dementia- upto 15% cases of dementia
- Frontotemporal dementia- 1-2% cases of dementia
(Source: http://lisdemo.libguides.com/caregivers )
More than one type of dementia can be found in a same person too. As many old people suffer from dementia, it's often misunderstood as the effect of aging. The memory loss due to aging is "senelity". Dementia is caused mainly due to destruction of brain cells. The type of dementia is result of the which part of the brain's cells are damaged. Dementia may be caused due to following causes:-
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Serious damage to brain due to injury
Since it's cause due to damage in the brain cells, it's absolute cure is not found yet. But some methods help the victim to live a more easier life. Emotional support is a must to any dementia victim. Various therapies are provided to improve the cognitive ability of the victim and psychotic drugs may be prescribed for serious cases to tranquilize the victim though its not quite recommended unless absolutely necessary.
The behavioral change is quite subtle and most victims also end up with depression through the process. Low thyroid levels, Medication side effects,Excess use of alcohol, B12 deficiency, Neurosyphilis are catalyst to dementia. So one must always keep their body healthy. A sound body is a necessary requirement of a healthy mind. Hygienic life is a key to prevent dementia. And if one suffers from it, support from his/her family, friends and relatives will help his/her rest of the life go with ease.
( Source: http://channelingerik.com/erik-on-dementia/)