What is Dementia?
Dementia is an umbrella term for a variety of brain disorders.
Symptoms include loss of memory, judgment and reasoning, and changes in mood and behavior. Brain function is affected enough to interfere with a person’s ability to function at work, in relationships or in everyday activities. Several conditions produce symptoms similar to dementia; these can include depression, thyroid disease, infections or drug interactions.
Early diagnosis is essential to make sure that people with these conditions get the right treatment. If the symptoms are caused by dementia, an early diagnosis will mean early access to support, information, and medication should it be available. Luxcare Senior Care can help you manage your day to day needs. Call today to inquire about our services.
Different types of Dementia
Dementia is a word that describes a variety of brain disorders.
Symptoms of these disorders include memory loss, confusion, difficulty speaking and understanding, and changes in mood and behavior. These symptoms may affect how a person can manage at work, in social relationships and in day-to-day activities. Sometimes symptoms of dementia can be caused by conditions that may be treatable, such as depression, thyroid disease, infections or drug interactions. If the symptoms are not treatable and progress over time, they may be due to damage to the nerve cells in the brain.
One way of understanding how dementia affects the brain is to look at the different types of Dementia. See link below to learn more. https://alzheimer.ca/bc/en/search?q=dementia
What is Alzheimer’s disease ?
Alzheimer’s disease is a fatal, progressive and degenerative disease that destroys brain cells
It is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 64 per cent of all dementia in Canada.
Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging. Symptoms include having difficulty remembering things, making decisions and performing everyday activities. These changes can affect the way a person feels and acts. There is currently no way to stop the disease, but research is improving the way we provide care and will continue to search for a cure.
What causes Alzheimer’s disease?
We do not yet know what causes Alzheimer’s disease but researchers have identified risk factors associated with it.​ Aging​, the most important risk factor is aging. A minimum age needs to be reached for Alzheimer’s disease to develop. People do not get the disease in their teenage years or even in their 20s. It is well-established that aging can impair the body’s self-repair mechanisms. And of course, many of the risk factors increase with age, such as blood pressure, stress, and obesity.​
Genetics​
There is no doubt that genetics play a role in the disease. Yet only a small percentage of cases is associated with the specific genes that cause the inherited form of the disease. Risk genes increase the likelihood of developing a disease, but do not guarantee it will happen.
Other factors
Research is being done on other factors such as existing diseases or conditions that the person may have, infections, alcohol and tobacco use, diet and exercise alcohol and tobacco use, diet and exercise.​
Are there any treatments for symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease?
Several medications are now available to treat some symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. These drugs are not a cure for the disease. They do not stop its progression. Ask your doctor if there is a treatment suitable for you.​
How does Alzheimer’s disease progress?
Alzheimer’s disease typically follows certain stages that cause changes in the person’s and family’s lives. Because the disease affects each individual differently, the symptoms, the order in which they appear and the duration of each stage vary from person to person. In most cases, the disease progresses slowly, and the symptoms of each stage may overlap, often making the move from one stage to another quite subtle. The duration of the disease is usually seven to ten years but may be much longer in some people.
