Dementia in the elderly, symptoms and treatment

Dementia is literally translated from Latin means madness. In the everyday sense considered synonymous words for mental decline and memory - senile dementia. It acquired condition arising due to the collapse of the mental functions. The disease is most typical for elderly people.

You can often hear the popular expression "senility", which is also synonymous. Dementia in the elderly requires timely treatment for professional help. Begun in the early stages of treatment to help correct behavioral abnormalities, and sparing the patient and family members from serious problems.

What it is?

Dementia - acquired dementia, stable decrease of cognitive activity with the loss of more or less degree previously learned knowledge and skills and the difficulty or impossibility of acquisition new.

Unlike mental retardation (mental retardation), dementia congenital or acquired in infancy, which is the mental underdevelopment, dementia - is disintegration of mental functions occurring as a result of brain damage, often - in his youth as a result of addictive behavior, most often - in old age (senile dementia; from the Latin. senilis - senile, old man's).

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In people, senile dementia is called senility.

Causes of

The main cause of the disease lies in the impairment of the immune processes as a result of autoimmune diseases which are formed prior to destructive processes in cells brain. Distinguish primary and secondary causes of senility in the elderly, the factors which cause the intensity and speed of the disease. The primary attribute destructive processes of the cerebral cortex that occur against the background of the progression of comorbidities, such as:

• Alzheimer's disease or senile dementia;
• Pick's disease.

The primary reason for provoking acute dementia, which requires constant monitoring.

Secondary brain damage observed on the background of progression of infectious and viral diseases, Pathogenic microorganisms are able to depress the central nervous system, and also weaken the immune system. These include:

• hypertension chronic nature;
• HIV infection;
• severe intoxication harmful chemicals;
• type chronic infectious disease;
• presence in the body of inflammatory foci of viral etiology;
• cerebral atherosclerosis; endocrine disorders;
• cancerous growths in the brain;
• autoimmune disorders.

All of these diseases form a risk factor contributing to the development of senile dementia

types of diseases

In medicine are 4 types of diseases that are associated with brain area in which changes have occurred:

1. Cork - affects the cortex of the brain hemispheres and may occur simultaneously with frontotemporal dementia. Mainly observed in alcoholism, Pick's disease and Alzheimer's.
2. Multifocal - observed multiple foci of disease in different parts of the CNS. This senile dementia progresses rapidly and causes a variety of neurological symptoms.
3. Subcortical - a pathology that affects subcortical structures and cause neurological symptoms. This occurs in Parkinson's disease.
4. Corticosubcortical - the defeat of mixed character, caused by vascular changes.

Accepted provide two forms of senile dementia:

The total	It related to the total disintegration of the personality. The patient not only loses interest in the proceedings, he violated intellectual abilities, roughly changing emotional and volitional (loss of sense of shame, interest in life, social maladjustment). Total dementia is associated with a lesion of the cortex in the frontal part of the brain or development of neoplastic processes.
lacunal	It has isolated lesions of separate structures that regulate intellectual activity. As a result of the development of disease in a patient begins to suffer short-term memory, so he is forced to constantly record everything. At the same time emotional and volitional virtually unaffected. As an example may be mentioned the initial stages of Alzheimer's disease.

There are 3 common types that are inherent in such diseases as senile dementia:

1. Vascular dementia - CNS degeneration is a secondary factor and occurs against violations of cerebral circulation.
2. Dementia in Alzheimer's disease (atrophic) - linked to the primary destruction of nerve cells.
3. Mixed disease is based on the mechanism of occurrence of the two.

dementia symptoms

Senile dementia begins softly pronounced symptoms, which can be easily mistaken for normal personality change in old age. If you notice the following symptoms in the elderly should start to worry.

1. Behavioral manifestations characterized by the destruction of carelessness, negligence in clothes. Implementation of basic actions in relation to personal hygiene requires reminders. Work and habitual actions become uninteresting, develops perseverance in proving their own innocence and edification. In certain situations, the patient is easily suggestible. Indifference is also being developed in relation to everything that has nothing to do with the sick person. shyness disappears often to place this feeling comes promiscuity, the patient prefers conversations with erotic overtones.
2. Memory impairment due to organic brain damage. The patient may forget the events of yesterday, but the minutest detail remembers the distant past events. Important events the patient can not remember as the day date.
3. Thinking significantly worsens, the usual daily tasks are solved with great difficulty, difficulties arise when the need to opt for effective solution of the problem.
4. Orientation in time space is violated, but only in cases where the patient is in an unusual situation for him. Home with a sense of the time there are no problems in an unfamiliar place can be lost.
5. In the early stages of the disease a person is characterized by constitutional plethora of speech, habitual it is stored as facial expressions, gestures and relevant use of formulaic expressions. Stereotyped behavior and usage patterns in communication can cause that senile dementia is not noticed in time. Random diagnosis is possible only when the patient is not able to answer a question by chance on age, date or time.

Senile dementia in the elderly causes the development of avarice, greed, patients often begin to gather at home unnecessary items in large quantities.

Hypersexuality and immoderate appetite characterizes the initial stage. Self skills are lost with the development of the disease, for decades disappeared from human memory, and it seems that he is young and he has no grandchildren, no children.

Often there are periods of depression, sentimentality, anger or aggression.

senile dementia

This form of the disease is characterized by progressive memory disorder not (Light forgetfulness) and sharp exacerbations, overaction. All black man hypertrophy, it becomes boring, greedy, clinging to the little things, everything around it becomes annoying.

1. The patient looks around, starts to collect garbage and trash, and store it at home. The man who used to be a purposeful, turns into a real stubborn, insists on his contrary to all logic. All this leads to a decrease in intelligence, social exclusion occurs.
2. In the most severe cases, completely lose their memory, all your skills and abilities. He can not talk, speak words alone eat, controls the physiological processes.

The result - a complete physiological and psychological insanity. Without regular care for 24 hours, the patient can not exist.

dementia stage

Stages of the disease varied, depending on the type of dementia. However, the following common features - the classification of the severity of the process is focused on:

1. Light dementia (initial stage). For the debut of the disease is characterized by a small and seemingly curious forgetfulness. People "on automatic" shut the TV remote in the refrigerator, the key of the intercom button is applied to the elevator call. Then there is fixation amnesia when new information emitted from the head. Can escalate to the point of absurdity some character traits: thrifty turns to Elijah, purposeful - in stubborn tyrant. With timely correction may slow the process of destruction of brain cells. Important part of the family, which should create favorable microclimatic conditions for the patient, surrounding him with love and care
2. Moderate dementia. Forgotten events that occurred in more remote period of time, the man remembers his childhood and youth. Dips are replaced with fictional episodes, events moved in time: his grandfather is going to lecture at the university, who graduated 50 years ago, "pregnant" Granny gets diapers. Violated the practical skills to cope only with the simplest household chores. Dementia makes people dangerous to themselves and others. It is difficult to treat, which is aimed at stabilizing the patient's condition. Prognosis is poor because the disease tends to progression
3. Severe dementia. The latest stage. The patient progressed all began earlier disturbances, disturbed bodily functions. Man ceases to recognize loved ones. As a result of dementia a patient comes to a complete degradation of the individual. The most unfavorable prognosis. As a result, dementia leads to death, since violation of immune responses leading to death due to inability to fully monitor all processes in the body.

dementia treatment

Dementia Treatment includes medication support, carried out by neurologists and psychiatrists, as well as rehabilitation measures (where possible). In general, one can only slow down the progression of the disease, a radical solution to the problem to date has been found.

For therapy using several kinds of drugs:

1. Cholinesterase blockers inhibit the destruction of acetylcholine, which facilitates nerve transmission in the brain. The drugs help fight memory problems. These are: Aricept, Razadin, galantamine, Exelon, rivastigmine.
2. Memantine blocking glutamate, which is excitatory neurotransmitter of the CNS and damaging neurocytes.
3. Neuroleptics cropped neurotic and psychotic symptoms of dementia. Droperidol, haloperidol, chlorpromazine, Propazin, Mazheptil, thioproperazine, Sonopaks, Perferazin, risperidone, Chlorprothixenum, Flyuanksol, klopiksol, clozapine, sulpiride, Opanzalin.
4. Antidepressants from the group of serotonin reuptake inhibitors: paroxetine, Prozac, Anafanil, Citalopram reduce anxiety and fear.
5. Tranquilizers remove fear, reduce anxiety and emotional tension. It does not reduce the memory and does not violate thinking. Most of these drugs are withdrawn autonomic symptoms. Use heterocyclic drugs: buspirone Ivadal, imovan, Zopiclone.

Thus, dementia rarely begins spontaneously. The most common symptoms of this pathology accumulates and becomes heavier with time. The problem comes close to the patient in a timely manner to show a person a specialist neurologist or psychiatrist.

Dementia - how to behave with a man?

First of all, a positive tune in contact with a sick relative. Speak only in polite, pleasant tone, but at the same time clearly and confidently. Starting a conversation, draw attention to the patient's name. Always articulate his thoughts clearly outlining her simple words. Speak always slowly, encouraging tone. Clearly ask simple questions that require clear answers: yes, no.

When complex issues - let's hint. Be patient with the sick, give him a chance to think. If necessary, repeat the question. Try to help relatives remember the specific date, time, names of relatives. It is understanding very difficult. Do not react to the accusations, reproaches. Praise the patient, take care of the sequence of its daily routine. Break up any training step by step action. Remember with the patient the good old days. It calms. It is important to good nutrition, drinking regime, regular motion.

research facts

One study conducted in 2013 by experts of the Institute of Medical Sciences Nizam in India found that the use of two languages ​​can delay the development of dementia. Analysis of medical records 648 cases of dementia of the disease showed that those who speak on two languages, to develop dementia by an average of 4.5 years later than those who speak only one language.

There have been recent studies showing a decrease in the percentage of dementia in the total number of elderly in the developed world. So, if dementia in 2000 in the US was at 11.6 per cent of people over 65, such that it has become much less in 2012: 8.8 per cent.

There are 16 research demonstrating the effect of phosphatidylserine on reducing symptoms of dementia or cognitive impairment [5]. In May 2003, the US Office of FDA The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the so-called "The statement about the health benefits» ( «Qualified health claim») in respect of phosphatidylserine, which allows producers in the territory US indicated on the label that "consumption of phosphatidylserine may reduce the risk of dementia and cognitive impairment in the elderly people".

However, this statement must be accompanied until the caveat that "very limited and preliminary scientific research suggests that phosphatidylserine may reduce the risk of cognitive dysfunction in the elderly "because management considered that the scientific community is still no clear opinion on this topic, and most studies have been done using phosphatidylserine derived from cow's brain, rather than soy phosphatidylserine, which is now used.

prevention

For the prevention of dementia are needed exercise. This allows for a long time did not give the disease to develop. Such pressures should not be debilitating. Should use fresh air, morning exercises, gymnastics. This activity also contributes to the prevention of obesity.

Coaching is necessary not only the body but also the brain. The withering away of brain cells is possible at a constant mental activity. It increases the effectiveness of treatment and prevention.

According to statistics, people with higher education and is constantly engaged in mental activities are likely to develop senile dementia is 4 times lower than that of other elderly patients. A person does not necessarily solve complex problems - we can restrict crossword puzzles, reading. This way of life will not only help preserve the long-term memory, but also expand the interests horizons.

It is very important to get rid of bad habits. Regular consumption of alcohol can cause the appearance of senile dementia. In this case, the symptoms can be seen as early as 40 years.

The prognosis of dementia

Patients with dementia maloobuchaemy, they are hard to be interested in the new, to compensate somehow lost skills. It is important for the treatment to understand what it is irreversible disease that is incurable. Therefore, there is a question of adapting to the patient's life and quality of care. Many devote a certain amount of time nursing, nurses are looking for, fired from their jobs.

Dementia is not a disease to act independently and often this phenomenon is the main disease. Patients can lose the knowledge of themselves, to forget yourself, become just a shell without content, stop to carry out elementary hygiene and lose the ability to consciously eat. The disease can not progress if it is caused by a brain injury. After the cessation of the use of alcohol, alcoholic dementia patients sometimes get better.