Dementia is a group of brain disorders that disturb and damage cognitive (power of knowing) functions, affecting memory, one’s very personality, judgment, mood and social functioning.
Cognitive function refers to all mental tasks we perform every minute from remembering our name to doing mathematical calculations. Memory is the often the first to go. Gradually one will also lose abilities of problem-solving ability, decision-making, judgment, managing physical space, putting words together communicating. One’s very personality also goes for a toss. Eventually people with dementia will NOT be able to take care of themselves they will require round-the-clock care.
Dementia is a permanent, progressive disease that affects mostly people after 50-55 years.
What causes dementia?
All forms of dementia result from of nerve cells and/or the loss of communication among these cells. Some causes of dementia can be reversed, and others cannot. Treatable condition can cause dementia include a high fever, dehydration, vitamin deficiency and poor nutrition, bad reactions to medicines, problems with the thyroid gland, or a minor head injury.
What are the different types of dementia?
1. Alzheimer’s disease
2. Dementia with Lewy bodies
3. Parkinson’s disease
4. Multi-infarct or vascular dementia
Alzheimer’s disease: - 
AD is the most common cause of dementia. In AD, nerve cells in the brain die. Symptoms of AD begin slowly with memory problems. The brain damage in AD leads to serious problems in thinking, judgment, and the ability to carry out daily activities. 
Dementia with Lewy bodies: -
Lewy bodies are abnormal structures found in certain areas of the affected brain. Lewy body dementia may affect speed of thinking of, attention
and concentration, and visual spatial abilities more severely than memory and language. It can also cause hallucinations and large fluctuations in degree of alertness.
Parkinson’s disease
Starting with a slowing of the thought processes it leads to difficulty in concentration and results in total confusion. There could be stiffness and shaking of limbs, speech impairment and a shuffling gait (body posture) 
Multi-infarct or vascular dementia :-
In MID, small strokes occur, and blood clots in the blood vessels in the brain cause the death of brain tissue. Symptoms that begin suddenly may be a sign of this kind of dementia. High blood pressure is a cause of strokes and MIDMistaken Symptoms
The conditions produce signs and symptoms similar to those of dementia. Two conditions are sometimes mistaken for dementia:
Depression: Depression can cause difficulty in remembering, thinking clearly and concentrating. Sometimes depression occurs in conjuction with dementia. In those cases emotional and intellectual deterioration can be especially severe.
Delirium: Unlike dementia, delirium is a severe but it is a temporary state of mental confusion. It tends to be most common in elders with heart or lung disease, infections, poor nutrition, medication interactions or hormone disorders. A person who experiences the sudden onset of disorientation, loss of mental skills or loss of consciousness is more likely to have delirium rather than dementia.
Who Suffers?
Apart from the patient ,it is the care giver and the family who bear the brunt of the disease. It can affect family life ,one’s job, finances ,and one’s physical and mental health. People with dementia usually need more and more care as the disease worsens.The care giver is forced to drift away from family and friends ,because it is difficult to stay socially connected. People in the community may not understand the disease and its related behaviours. Some may be sad or fearful, causing them to retreat from contact with the care giver. Others may not visit because they believe your loved wouldn’t remember the visit anyway. Perhaps as a care giver responsibilities that you have become so immersed in your care giving responsibilities that you don’t have the energy to stay
Who is most likely to suffer from dementia?
The elderly, those with family histories of dementia, and those with stroke risk factors are at higher risk for dementia.
More women than men have dementia because women in general live longer than men.
How can I tell if someone suffers from Dementia ?
Only Doctors can diagnose dementia through exhaustive medical history taking and thorough physical examination and allied tests. Tests of blood and urine may be done to look for problems. There are also tests of mental abilities (tests of memory, problem solving, counting, and language.) 
Other kinds of tests used may include brain scans using
Computerised tomography(CT Scan)
Magnetic resonanceimaging (MRI Scan)
Positron emission tomography(PET Scan)
How do you treat dementia?
Drugs do not halt the disease or reverse existing brain damage; they can improve symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease. This may improve the patient’s quality of life, ease the burden on caregivers, and /or delay admission to a nursing home. Medicines are used to help control behavioural symptoms of dementia such as sleeplessness, agitation, wandering, anxiety, and depression. Treating these symptoms often makes individuals more comfortable and makes their care easier for caregivers.
Patients can benefit to some extent from treatment with available medications and other measures, such as cognitive training. Many people with dementia, particularly those in the early stages, my benefit from practicing tasks designed to improve performance in specific aspects of cognitive functioning. For example, people can sometimes be taught to use memory aids, such as mnemonics, computerized recall devices, or note taking.
Behaviour modification – rewarding appropriate or positive behaviour and ignoring inappropriate behaviour-also may help control unacceptable or dangerous behaviours. No-drug treatments include assuring that the person with dementia has a healthy diet, exercise, social activities, regular medical care, and a safe environment. Caregivers can learn useful methods to help cope with problem behaviors
Ray of Hope
Scientist are working to develop new drugs that someday may slow ,reverse, or prevent the damage caused by dementia.
Giving careful attention to physical fitness and exercise goes a long way towards keeping a healthy state of mind. Limiting the use of Alcoholic beverages is important, because heavy drinking over time can cause permanent brain damage .
Some physical and mental changes occur with age in healthy people .However ,much pain and suffering can be avoided if older people ,their families, and their doctors recognize dementia as a disease , not part of normal aging .
Advisors Dr. Noshir H.Wadia,Dr. Charles Pinto,Dr.Dilip Panikkar
