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Last Updated: Oct 23, 2019
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Facts about Dementia

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Dr. P K SukumaranPsychiatrist • 59 Years Exp.MBBS, DPM (Psychiatry)
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Facts about Dementia

What is dementia? Dementia is a term used to describe various different brain disorders that have in common a loss of brain function that is usually progressive and eventually severe. There are over 100 different types of dementia. The most common are Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies. Symptoms of dementia include loss of memory, confusion and problems with speech and understanding.
Most forms of dementia cannot be cured. There are some drugs available that appear to alleviate some of the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease in some people.
How dementia progresses?

All types of dementia are progressive illnesses. This means that the structure and chemistry of the brain become increasingly damaged over time. The person's ability to remember, understand, communicate and reason will gradually decline.
Genetic factors are responsible for the disease in only a very small number of families. There is no single gene for Alzheimer's disease and inherited factors alone do not explain why some people develop it while others do not.
The Alzheimer's Society estimates that there are currently over 700,000 people in the UK with dementia.

Researchers believe that many factors, including age, genetic background and lifestyle, can lead to the onset of the disease. The prevalence of dementia in people with learning difficulties is higher than in the general population.


What is dementia?
The term 'dementia' is used to describe the symptoms that occur when the brain is affected by specific diseases and conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, stroke and many other rarer conditions. Symptoms of dementia include loss of memory, confusion and problems with speech and understanding.Different areas of the brain are responsible for different skills and abilities. The changes in behaviour, memory and thought in people with Alzheimer's disease may be a direct result of the way the disease has affected their brain.See also information sheet
There are several diseases and conditions that cause dementia.See also information sheet
 

Causes of dementia include:
Alzheimer's diseaseThis is the most common cause of dementia. During the course of the disease, the chemistry and structure of the brain changes, leading to the death of brain cells. Information sheet.

Vascular diseaseIf the oxygen supply to the brain fails, brain cells may die. The symptoms of vascular dementia can occur either suddenly, following a stroke, or over time, through a series of small strokes. Information sheet
Dementia with Lewy bodiesThis form of dementia gets its name from tiny spherical structures that develop inside nerve cells. Their presence in the brain leads to the degeneration of brain tissue. Memory, concentration and language skills are affected. Information sheet

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