Dementia is a slowly progressive brain disorder characterized by the loss of ability to think, reason and remember. Dementia is not a disease itself, but rather a group of symptoms that are caused by various diseases or conditions. In some cases, the dementia can be treated and cured because the cause is treatable. In some cases, although the person may appear to have dementia, a severe depression can be causing the symptoms. Examples of this include dementia caused by drugs or alcohol, or hormone or vitamin imbalances. Because some causes of dementia can be cured or partially treated, it is very important that your doctor is thorough when making the diagnosis, so as not to miss potentially treatable conditions. The frequency of "treatable" causes of dementia is believed to be about 10%.

Causes of Dementia

The common Causes of Dementia :

Nutritional deficiencies, like vitamin B12 and folate deficiency.

Toxic reactions, like excessive alcohol or drug use.

Infections that affect the brain and spinal cord, such as AIDS dementia complex and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Certain types of hydrocephalus, an accumulation of fluid in the brain that can result from developmental abnormalities, infections, injury, or brain tumors.

Kidney, liver, and lung diseases can all lead to dementia.

Either a single severe head injury or longer term smaller injuries, like in boxers.

Diseases that cause degeneration or loss of nerve cellsin the brain such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's.

Symptoms of Dementia

Some Symptoms of Dementia :

Confusion , severe

Decrease in problem-solving skills and judgment capability

Progressive memory loss

Hallucinations and delusions

Altered sensation or perception

Inability to concentrate

Lack of spontaneity

Depression

Treatment of Dementia

Dementia Treatment of people with progressive dementia aims to provide the best possible quality of life for them and their carers.

Alzheimer's disease , Huntington's disease , Pick's disease, dementia of aging and traumatic injuries to the brain are usually not amenable to treatment.

Anti-convulsants may be effective in treating some behavioural disturbances.

Dementia generally gets worse with age but the development of symptoms can often be slowed with drugs or other treatments.

Treatment of dementia usually aims to improve memory and concentration, reduce psychiatric problems, and to improve the quality of life for both the patient and their family and carers.

Anti-psychotic drugs may be prescribed for patients suffering from delusions or hallucinations.