Dementia

Dementia is a clinical condition involving impairment of memory and cognitive abilities, with symptoms that vary greatly from person to person. Within this scope;

• Alzheimer's disease and
• dementia caused by blocked blood vessels (vascular dementia) are the most common causes.

SYMPTOMS OF DEMENTIA

Memory and cognitive function disorders

Dementia is not a single disease; it is the umbrella term for many diseases in which memory and mental functions deteriorate. To diagnose a patient with dementia, at least two of the following findings must be present.

• Memory impairment: Particularly the inability to recall recent events and situations.
• Speech impairment,
• Attention deficit,
• Difficulty making decisions,
• Visual perception disorder.

Psychological disorders

• Personality changes
• Depression and anxiety,
• Paranoia,
• Agitation,
• Hallucinations,

Other disorders associated with dementia

• Huntington's Disease: A genetic disorder that appears between the ages of 30 and 40. It involves severe deterioration of thinking skills.
• Brain injuries: Particularly repetitive trauma, such as in boxing.
• Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease: An infectious disease caused by the accumulation of prion proteins in the brain.
• Parkinson's Disease:
• Infections and immune system disorders: Multiple sclerosis
• Metabolic and endocrine disorders,
• Thyroid disease, low blood sugar, vitamin B12 malabsorption,
• Nutritional disorders,
• Medication side effects,
• Intracranial bleeding: Subdural hematoma,
• Poisoning: Heavy metal (mercury) poisoning, pesticides (insecticides),
• Heavy alcohol consumption,
• Brain tumors,
• Anoxia: Such as severe sleep apnea, asthma (COPD), heart attack and carbon monoxide poisoning

DEMENTIA RISK FACTORS YOU CAN CHANGE

• Diet and exercise,
• Heavy alcohol consumption,
• Cardiovascular risk factors: Hypertension, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, obesity
• Depression,
• Diabetes,
• Smoking,
• Sleep apnea,
• Vitamin and nutritional deficiencies: Deficiencies of vitamin D, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and folate in particular increase the risk of dementia.

DIAGNOSTIC APPROACHES

Medical history: It is important for the physician to carry out a detailed evaluation of the medical history. There is no single test that can establish the diagnosis on its own.

Cognitive and Neuropsychological Tests: Brain imaging methods: CT, MRI and PET scans

Laboratory Tests: Many blood parameters, such as vitamin B12 and thyroid tests, are evaluated to investigate whether there is another underlying health problem. Sometimes cerebrospinal fluid tests are used to screen for markers of inflammation and other degenerative diseases.

TREATMENT APPROACHES

Although dementia is not a condition that can be completely cured, treatment can relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.

Medical Treatment: Medications in the cholinesterase inhibitor and memantine groups are used to regulate the chemical messengers that carry signals between cells.

Alternative Treatments: Approaches such as occupational therapy, improving communication, adapting the environment, encouraging exercise and planning for the future produce positive results.

At İzmir Özel Can and Salihli Özel Can Hospitals, neurology, psychiatry and dietitian specialists work together in caring for our patients with dementia and Alzheimer's disease, which yields very positive results for patients with dementia and their families.