BRAIN

Dementia in the elderly

Dementia pathology is neurodegeneration. It consists of the severe loss of cognitive abilities. This loss affects brain functions such as language, attention and memory, fundamental intellectual functions. It has an impact on the life of the person with dementia and, in the long run, can cause a loss of autonomy. It is a progressive syndrome, in some cases chronic. It may be due to diseases that affect the brain. Its consequences can be social, economic or psychological.

The most common signs of dementia are

Dementia manifests itself in different forms depending on the patient. It causes the patient's disability or dependency. The first signs of dementia are: a loss of awareness of the notion of time, a tendency to forget, an inability to remember where he is. At this stage, these signs are not always apparent.

As the disease progresses, the symptoms are more apparent. The patient can no longer communicate. He needs help to wash himself, he forgets people's names, sometimes even the names of relatives. He repeats the same questions, does not remember recent events. He may have difficulty performing daily tasks. He cannot learn new things.

As it progresses, this dementia can cause: a language problem, loss of motivation, disorientation, difficulty in reasoning, impaired judgment, changes in behaviour or mood, or even personality.

Vascular dementia, a dementia pathology not to be overlooked

It can occur after a stroke or be related to hypertensive arteriolopathy. These are brain lesions of vascular origin. It can also result from repetitive hypotension. Vascular dementia can be prevented by monitoring blood pressure. In this way, it will be easier to take action by ensuring that you have a healthy diet appropriate to the situation that arises. The first sign of this dementia is a change in mood. We can also see :

The risk factors for this dementia are numerous:

Memory impairment, a senior citizen's handicap

These disorders consist of a decrease in the ability to memorize information. The elderly person can neither retain nor reproduce them. This failure is due to a malfunction in some parts of the brain.

Main signs of memory impairment

Memory impairment occurs when the senior is no longer able to carry out household chores properly. In some cases, they may have difficulty saying words or managing their finances. Many changes can occur. Late arrival for appointments, misperceptions or confusion can also be another sign of memory impairment, a sign of dementia.

The origins of memory loss

Most often, it is due to various illnesses or possible situations such as lack of sleep or fatigue. A deficiency in vitamins B1 and B12, the consumption of illicit products, tobacco or alcohol can also promote memory loss. Shocking facts, depression and stress, taking medication can cause memory loss. Anxiolytics, sleeping pills, antihistamines and antidepressants are the main causes of this condition.

Alzheimer's, a dementia of the elderly

This degenerative disease causes irrevocable loss of mental functions. Evolving, it leads the patient to a state of mental confusion. Specific lesions appear and gradually reach the brain. They begin by destroying the neurons of the hippocampus, where memory is controlled. The onset of this dementia may be due to genetic factors. In fact, 60% of people with dementia carry the Apolipoprotein E4 or ApoE4 gene. Lipid transporters are essential for maintaining and remodelling the membranes of neurons.

How to care for the person with dementia

The disease becomes a handicap for the person with dementia. With the various manifestations of dementia mentioned above throughout its course, it is clear that the person needs help. Various measures can be taken to do this.