Dementia is classified as a neurocognitive condition with several degrees of severity and subtypes by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). Causative subtypes of dementia can be based on the known potential cause. Such as Parkinson’s disease for Parkinson’s disease dementia; Huntington’s disease for Huntington’s disease dementia; vascular disease for vascular dementia; brain injury, including stroke, often results in vascular dementia; or any other medical conditions, such as HIV infection for HIV dementia. Subtypes can be defined by a variety of symptoms caused by a neurodegenerative disorder such as Alzheimer’s disease. Or, Lewy body disease in dementia. Mixed dementia is a term used to describe a person’s condition if they have more than one type of dementia. Blood tests may be used to rule out alternative, potentially reversible reasons, such as an underactive thyroid, as well as to determine the subtype of dementia. The Mini-Mental State Examination is a frequently used cognitive exam to test for dementia. Dementia is characterized by various symptoms, including gradual deficits in memory, reasoning, and behavior that impede a person’s capacity to operate and carry out daily chores. Aside from memory loss and cognitive pattern disruption, emotional disorders, linguistic difficulty, and a lack of drive are the most common symptoms. The symptoms are defined as occurring in a stage-by-stage progression. Consciousness is unaffected. The individual with dementia, their caregivers, and their relationships in general are all affected by dementia. To diagnose dementia, a change in a person’s usual mental functioning is required, as well as a larger cognitive impairment than normal aging. Dementia can be caused by a variety of disorders and traumas to the brain, such as a stroke. Alzheimer’s disease, a neurological disorder, is the most prevalent cause. Dementia is caused primarily by aging, however, it is not guaranteed as you grow older. Obesity and smoking are also risk factors, but they can be avoided by living a better and healthier lifestyle. Unfortunately, there is no recognized cure for dementia.
References
Dementia (2021, July 17). Retrieved from
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dementia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352013
What is Dementia? (2019, April 5). Retrieved from
https://www.cdc.gov/aging/dementia/index.html
What Is Dementia? Symptoms, Types, and Diagnosis (2021, July 2). Retrieved from
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-is-dementia
Causes and Risk Factors for Alzheimer’s Disease (2022) Retrieved from
https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers/causes-and-risk-factors
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