Dementia Nurul Ashikin Hamzah |Nurul Eylia Nasaruddin

Introduction Dementia is a non-specific illness syndrome (set of signs and symptoms) in which affected areas of cognition may be memory, attention, language, and problem solving

Dementia Worldwide

Type of Dementia 1.Cortical dementias : Dementia where the brain damage primarily affects the brain's cortex, or outer layer. Cause problems with memory, language, thinking, and social behavior Alzheimer's disease. Frontotemporal dementias Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

2. Subcortical dementias Affects parts of the brain below the cortex. Changes in emotions and movement in addition to problems with memory. Huntington's disease Parkinson's disease Focal thalamic and basal ganglia lesions Multiple sclerosis. Normal pressure hydrocephalus

3. Mixed dementias Other than previous dementia. Occurs as a result of a physical disease or injury. Vascular dementia Dementia with lewy bodies Corticobasal degeneration Neurosyphilis

Aetieology [causes] Main causes of dementia Alzheimer's disease (50-60 per cent of cases) Vascular dementia (20-25 per cent) Dementia with lewy bodies (15-20 per cent)

Other less common causes are as follows: Parenchymal/degenerative – Pick's disease – Parkinson disease – Huntington's disease – Wilson’s disease – MS Intracranial causes – CVA – Tumor – Head trauma – Subdural hematoma – NPH

Infection – Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (Prion disease) – Neurosyphils – HIV associated dementia – Others Vitamin deficiency – B 12 – Folate – Niacin – Thiamine

Metabolic causes:- – Uremia – Hepatic encephalopathy – Hypoglycemia – Calcium, Mg, electrolyte imbalance Endocrine – Hypothyroidism – Hyperparathyroidism – Cushing’s and Addison’s disease Toxins – Prolonged alcohol misuse – Heavy metal poising

Symptoms Memory loss Disorientation of time and place Problem in communicating/language Abstract thinking Poor or reduced judgment

Dificulties in performing basic tasks Mood or behavioral changes Misplacing articles Loss of initiative Change in personality - passive

Treatment and Prevention Regular physical exam Regular Exercise Have fun and relax Keep your cholesterol in the normal range. Total cholesterol should be less than 200 mg/dL. Learn and monitor for signs, symptoms, and behavioral triggers of dementia.

Treat or prevent high blood pressure. Do not smoke. Stay at a healthy weight. This also reduces your risk of diabetes, another risk factor for dementia Memory exercises – crossword, brainteasers Daily walks Balanced diet - 5 small meals a day – Omega-3 fats – Antioxidants – Whole grains Relaxation exercises

References WHO ns-diseases/dementia-introduction.html ns-diseases/dementia-introduction.html tia htm tia htm