Dementia is a problem with all functions of the brain, however it affects people differently. Often it affects thinking, talking, social skills, memory and how to perform everyday tasks. Some of these changes may come on very silently and be hidden for a long time, and in the earliest forms of this disease not be detected by family or friends. All of these problems lead to changes in mood and personality.
Dementia has many causes, from being caused by small strokes, injury to the brain, drug abuse, alcoholism, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's Disease, just to name a few. In the United States, Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of dementia. This week we will be discussing these types of dementia:
Alzheimer's Disease is a progressive disease that causes the loss of memory and other cognitive abilities.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) is a rare, fatal brain disorder caused by a transmissible infection.
Huntington's Disease, an inherited, degenerative brain disease, which affects the mind and body.
Hydrocephalus, is a condition that causes excess fluid in the brain's ventricles.
Lewy Bodies (DLB), is caused by protein deposits in the nerve cells and interrupts chemical messages to the brain and causes memory loss and disorientation.
Parkinson's Disease (PD), a progressive disorder of the central nervous system and can cause hallucinations.
Pick's Disease, a rare and permanent form of dementia that is similar to Alzheimer's, except that it tends to affect only certain areas of the brain.
Vascular dementia is the second most common form and is caused by the lack of blood flow to the brain.
Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome is a chronic memory disorder caused by severe deficiency of thiamine. Commonly caused from alcohol abuse.
Tomorrow join us in learning more about Alzheimer's Disease.