Positive Health Online

Dementia affects around 45 million people across the globe - approximately 850,000 of which are in the UK. It’s one of the biggest causes of death, along with cancer, and with it being such a prominent issue, we feel that everyone should be know knowledgeable about the condition and how it affects those living with it.

Thousands of people live without a dementia diagnosis for several years, allowing it to progress more rapidly than it would with medical intervention. Although there is currently no cure, medication can be used to slow down its effects. However, if the signs and symptoms of dementia aren’t recognised early enough, it can be much more challenging to treat.

So, what actually is Dementia and what are the Different Types?

Dementia is the term used to describe a collection of symptoms that, over a long period of time, contribute to brain health decline and loss of brain function. It most commonly affects individuals over the age of 65, and there is currently no cure.

In total, there a 6 different types of dementia: Parkinson’s dementia, Lewy Body dementia, Mixed dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Vascular dementia, and Frontotemporal dementia. Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia, affecting a whopping 62% of all dementia sufferers. Parkinson’s and Frontotemporal dementia are the least common types of dementia with only 4% of sufferers being affected, and they tend to be the most challenging types to diagnose.

What are the Symptoms of Dementia?

Although there are 6 different types of dementia, many of the symptoms are experienced by all dementia sufferers, regardless of the type they’ve been diagnosed with. These include:

• Confusion
• Short term memory loss
• Mood changes
• Personality changes
• Becoming anxious and withdraw
• Repeatedly asking the same questions
• Difficulty finding and understanding certain words
• Difficulty with money and numbers
• Issues with movements
• Becoming obsessive
• Difficulty with attention span and tasks that require focus
• Not recognising loved ones

Getting a Diagnosis

The first stage of getting a diagnosis is to recognise the signs and symptoms of dementia in yourself or your loved one and to make an appointment with a GP. Whilst at the doctor’s office, blood tests will be taken to rule out any other conditions that could be causing the symptoms. If the blood test results come back clear, step two is undergoing cognitive testing and brain scans.

Cognitive testing involves taking IQ tests, being asked general knowledge questions, and taking mirror tests to observe self-awareness and learning ability. Brain scans are used to determine any physical damage to or deterioration of brain tissue.

Once these tests have been completed, if the diagnosis is dementia, the GP can prescribe medication to slow down its affects and make it much more manageable for the individual.

https://encorecarehomes.co.uk/dealing-with-dementia-infographic/