Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms of dementia can include memory loss, problems reasoning, difficulties with communicative skills, problems with attention, judgement, language and problem solving. Symptoms may vary with each individual concerned. Many symptoms of dementia are subtle and can belong to other forms of illness. This makes the diagnosis a process for professionals, aided by those close to the person concerned. Symptoms are progressive, gradual and increase over time.
Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms
Each person affected reacts to this condition in different ways. Alzheimer's disease is caused by the developing `plaques` and `tangles` within the brain structure, resulting in the death of brain cells. The symptoms of Alzheimer's disease progress slowly, affecting other parts of the brain over a time period of 7 to 10 years. Symptoms include memory lapse, problems with language when speaking, confusion and mood swings. Alzheimer's Symptoms can include problems with everyday tasks, such as preparing food and not eating it, then preparing food over again. Disorientation is caused when the person is unable to remember the time of day, problems in recognising familiar places and difficulties with finding their way about local areas.
Vascular Dementia Symptoms
This is the second most common form of dementia that reveals symptoms similar to Alzheimer's. Different people are affected in different ways, and the symptoms displayed can be similar to other types of dementia. Vascular dementia can be caused when the flow of blood in the body is interrupted. The brain requires a constant blood flow to supply it with oxygen and nutrients. Stopping the supply of blood causes the brain cells to eventually die, resulting in brain damage. Vascular dementia can develop quickly, declining rapidly in distinct steps, or in contrast, worsen gradually over months. Problems occur with performing everyday activity such as, getting dressed, preparing food and shopping.
Dementia with Lewy Bodies (LBD) Symptoms
Lewy bodies dementia may resemble other forms of dementia, can vary in degree from day to day, and difficult to diagnose. Symptoms will develop gradually, getting more severe with the onset. Variations in attention, alertnesss and confusion produces dramatic results. This can make close ones feel as though the individual is pretending to be confused. Hallucinations can give an experience of seeing figures that are unseen to others. Physical symptoms would be falling regularly or a change in gait when walking. Parkinson's disease-type symptom's can occur with restriction of body movements or with `tremor` muscle spasms.
Frontotemporal Dementia Symptoms
Frontemporal dementia causes shrinkage to the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. This area of the brain controls emotion and behavior response. The condition does not affect memory, but does affect the individual's ability with language and behaviour. Individuals may become less sensitive when reacting to the emotions of others.
Korsakoff's Syndrome Symptoms
Korsakoff's syndrome is a brain disorder caused by the lack of thiamine (vitamin B1) in the brain. The syndrome is named after Sergei Korsakoff, the neuropsychiatrist who popularized the theory. Symptoms include amnesia, severe memory loss, invented memories, lack of conversation, lack of insight, and apathy. They are caused by a deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B1), which is thought to cause damage to neurons; damage to supporting cells of the central nervous system; and hemorrhage or bleeding in mammillary bodies. Conditions resulting in the vitamin deficiency and its effects include chronic alcoholism, and severe malnutrition. Alcoholism is often an indicator of poor nutrition, which in addition to inflammation of the stomach lining, causes thiamine deficiency. Other causes include dietary deficiencies, prolonged vomiting, eating disorders, or the effects of chemotherapy.
Dementia Pugilistica Symptoms
Dementia pugilistica, is commonly known as boxer's dementia or punch-drunk syndrome. The word pugilistica actually comes from the Latin root `pugil` for boxer. It is a neurological disorder which may affect career boxers, wrestlers, and mixed martial artists who receive multiple dazing blows to the head. Dementia pugilistica is a severe form of chronic traumatic brain injury and is recognisable by a decline in mental and physical abilities similar to those seen is cases of Parkinson's disease. Other symptoms may include tremors, a lack of coordination, speech problems, or an unsteady gait. Some people may also be prone to inappropriate behavior, or display pathological jealously or paranoia.
