Dementia syndrome or dementia is a violation of the cognitive function of the brain that occurs due to damage or illness. Especially often, the lesion affects those parts of the cortex that are responsible for purposeful activity, memory, speech and attention.
Dementia syndrome Signs
The very first and most common symptom is forgetfulness, which goes to the extreme over time. She begins to disrupt normal life, worsening the quality of work and everyday contacts of the sick person. In the beginning, dementia syndrome is manifested by forgetfulness. First, a memory disorder disrupts the memorization of recent events. After the disease begins to progress, the person forgets those events that happened much earlier. There are problems with orientation in space. Those suffering from this disease can get lost in an area that was previously considered familiar. Or forget where they are.
The forecasting function is upset - it’s harder for the patient to plan his day, it’s harder to set the exact time to meet with someone. There are problems with the construction of proposals, as well as with the account. In some cases,
cognitive impairment entails a deterioration in character: patients become excitable, irritable, suspicious and more aggressive than before. At a certain point, dementia syndrome begins to disrupt the patient's entire life, making it increasingly difficult for all areas of his activity. A person becomes more dependent on loved ones. Especially if the appropriate treatment was not prescribed on time. In this case, the disease can gradually destroy almost all the mental functions of a person.
Associated Disorders and Prevalence
Dementia disease can be a manifestation of many diseases.
Most often it is
Alzheimer's syndrome. This is a progressive disease of neurons, which leads to their gradual degeneration and, as a result, to a decrease in
cognitive ability and a deterioration in daily functioning. Alzheimer's syndrome causes about sixty percent of all cases of dementia. The disease has a hereditary nature. It destroys primarily the part of the cortex that is responsible for thinking. The likelihood of dementia increases with age. Among people over sixty-five years old, the incidence of this disease is about seven percent. And among those over eighty-five, the figure reaches forty-five percent.
Caring for elderly people with dementia syndrome is very burdensome and requires material costs.
Treatment and prevention
Medications that can slow the progression of dementia are currently widely available. They help to stabilize the patient's condition under the condition of regular use. Patients may remain able to work longer, especially if treatment is started immediately after the onset of the first symptoms. Methods such as memory training, following the daily routine, and regular mental exercises help.