WHAT IS DEMENTIA

Dementia is the gradual loss of brain function caused by alzheimers disease in 80% of patients and in the remaining 20% by parkinsons disease, multiple sclerosis, picks disease, progressive surpranclear palsey, or brain injury.Dementia is not a disease in itself, but the symptom of something else.
The possible causes are stress, chronic alcohol abuse, brain tumours,brain injury, change in blood sugar and the use of certain medicines including some anti cholesterol drugs.
The symptoms are progressive memory loss, difficulties with language and forgetting odd words,perception and thinking and judgement.
Visiospatial  problems such as judging distances, can result in tripping, falling down the stairs or banging the head. Confusion about location, difficulty in solving small problems may also occur.
Patients may also have blank spots where they don't remember having done something.
Dementia gradually gets worse and the cause of the symptom will become obvious. In most cases this will be alzheimers disease.
However, both those with dementia and alzheimers can live for quite a number of years and in the early years in particular adjustments to lifestyle will enable both the patient and the family to continue to live a fruitful and fulfilling life.
David Barnato.
Paarl.
South Africa.