The term dementia is used to describe an illness which affects your brain; it can affect your memory, thinking and actions. Dementia is a progressive illness which means it will gradually get worse. How fast dementia progresses, is different for everyone. Each person is unique and will experience dementia in their own way. People of any age and both men and woman can be affected by dementia, although it is more common in older people.
There are over a 100 different types of dementia the most common being Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, including multi-infarct dementia.
Alzheimer’s disease is a physical disease which damages individual brain cells one by one, so that the brain cannot work as well as it used to. It is also known that people with Alzheimer’s have a shortage of some important chemicals in the brain. These chemicals are involved in the transmission of messages within the brain.
With vascular dementia’s there are problems with the blood supply running to the brain cells. The most common type of vascular dementia is multi-infarct dementia, this is when tiny strokes (infracts) damage a small area of the brain. Each time a person suffers from these tiny strokes, there will probably be a change in how well you can cope. These tiny strokes may make you feel unwell and more confused or you may not even notice them at all.
People with dementia often have one or more of the following symptoms:
§ Memory loss, especially of more recent events, in the early stages of dementia they
misplace things or forget what they are planning to do
§ Difficulty finding their way around, especially in new or unfamiliar surroundings
§ Problems finding the correct words
§ Poor concentration
§ Problems learning new ideas and skills
§ Psychological problems such as becoming irritable, saying or doing inappropriate things
and becoming depressed, paranoid or aggressive
§ Several mental health and physical problems, including loss of speech, immobility and incontinence.
Symptoms usually develop slowly over a number of years, often beginning with memory loss and progressing to mood changes and severe dementia. It is hard to try and pinpoint when dementia actually starts as it usually begins with mild forgetfulness.
At present there is no cure, but research is ongoing. Dementia usually gets worse with age but the development of symptoms can often be slowed down with drugs or other treatment.
Some websites with support and further information are:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/dementia1.shtml
http://www.alzscot.org/pages/regions/dundee-dementia-action-group.htm
For further details of useful websites to view in regard to dementia and to see which leaflets and books you can access at our Information Point within DAMH, you can click on the dementia word document at the top right of this page or alternatively you can click on the contact us at the top of the page to send us a message or request an Information Pack on one of the subjects listed.
Please note
The information contained within these packs are for general information only and is not intended to replace or substitute the advice or recommendations given by a trained professional. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the reliability of the information provided DAMH cannot recommend any of the services or resources included or accept any liability for the quality of service provided.