Dementia
What you need to know about dementia symptoms and Alzheimer's disease
Dementia is a blanket term for a range of cognitive illnesses or impairments that affect attention span, memory, language use and the ability to solve problems. Delirium, which is a decreased ability to accurately perceive and properly engage with a given environment, is a hallmark symptom of advanced dementia cases.
Dementia Symptoms and Causes
While memory and cognitive impairments are a major symptom of dementia, many people erroneously assume that they are the only signal of the presence of a negatively progressing neurological condition. Behavioral and emotional changes are often part and parcel of dementia—these include everything from agitation, paranoia and aggression to anxiety and depression.
Alzheimer's disease is one of the major causes of dementia, but it is by no means the only one. Though the link between Alzheimer's and dementia is well established, other causes of dementia include brain injuries, strokes, meningitis, encephalitis, neurodegenerative diseases, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and a host of other rare illnesses and genetic disorders.
Stages of Dementia
Dementia symptoms fall into one of two categories: fixed or progressive. In fixed cases, the cognitive impairment does not degenerate beyond its initial level. This is seen in dementia caused by brain injuries. In degenerative cases, such as those caused by Alzheimer's disease, there are seven dementia stages used to define the severity of the condition in a given patient:
- Stage 1. A patient shows no sign of cognitive impairment at this stage.
- Stage 2. At Stage 2, a patient may experience minor lapses of memory, though they are not severe enough to interfere with a normal level of day-to-day functioning.
- Stage 3. The third stage of dementia includes a cognitive decline that can be measured through medical testing. Memory and concentration deficiencies become noticeable to family and friends.
- Stage 4. The fourth stage is marked by moderate cognitive decline. A patient may have trouble remembering recent occasions or current events, may experience a loss of memory regarding personal history, and may have difficulty performing mental arithmetic.
- Stage 5. With Stage 5 dementia, the patient suffers from major memory gaps and may need assistance performing regular, day-to-day activities. The patient may be confused or forgetful about major things such as their name, address, date of birth, current location and the current time of year.
- Stage 6. At the sixth stage, major personality changes occur. The patient loses awareness of their surroundings, may begin to wander and needs extensive help and supervision. People with Stage 6 dementia may recall their own names but rarely have an accurate memory of their personal history.
- Stage 7. The seventh stage marks the most severe decline in cognitive ability. At this point, the patient loses the ability to speak, control their own movement and respond to their environment.
As part of Alzheimer's awareness, it is essential that you learn to recognize the signposts of each degenerative stage if you suspect that you or someone you care about may be affected by progressive dementia. This will help you provide more effective and sensitive care if a dementia diagnosis is made by a doctor.
