Dementia

Dementia is a general name given to a group of diseases that involve forgetfulness. The most well-known disease in this group is Alzheimer's disease. Diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure may also cause dementia if not treated. Considering the prolongation of human life, we can call dementia the disease of the new era. It is an insidious disease that begins slowly. Being a woman, low education level, cardiovascular diseases, high cholesterol, smoking and intense alcohol consumption and similar diseases in the family are factors that increase the risk.


 

Preventive Medicine is Important

Preventive medicine is important because there is no return after the onset of the disease. Some drugs may slow or stop its progress. Treatment goals include reducing disease symptoms and ensuring that patients can continue their daily lives. There are many studies indicating that regular physical exercise is protective. It is recommended to start a different activity in older ages. For example, learning a new language or engaging in a new sport. Goiter-like diseases and vitamin deficiencies are among the correctable causes of dementia and have to be considered.
 

Problems Vary Depending on the Disease Stage.

The problems vary according to the stage of the disease. Since in-bed care at home is necessary in advanced stages, arrangements have to be made accordingly. Physical and psychological support may be required for the caregiver at every stage. These individuals may develop burnout syndrome, especially if they are alone. Constant desire for wandering, goging away from home and falling are among the problems that patients will experience. Patients may be gruff, or even aggressive. In the early stages, patients who live alone may experience domestic accidents due to forgetfulness. Leaving the stove on, bathing with hot water are common. The presence of a caregiver at home is supportive.
 

Forgetfulness Should be Investigated

The most important problem is early diagnosis. It is useful to routinely monitor people with similar problems in the family after a certain age. Early diagnosis is also possible in diseases with genetic aspects such as Alzheimer's disease. A symptom such as forgetfulness should not be considered normal for age and should be investigated. Let's not forget that some diseases that cause dementia are curable diseases. Liv Hospital provides support services for diagnosis and treatment, in cooperation with neurology and psychiatry departments.