What is Dementia? How do we manage patient with Dementia?

• Dementia is a syndrome in which there is deterioration in memory, thinking, behaviour and the ability to perform everyday activities.
• Although dementia mainly affects older people, it is not a normal part of ageing.
• Worldwide, around 50 million people have dementia, and there are nearly 10 million new cases every year.
• Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia and may contribute to 60–70% of cases.
• Dementia is one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people worldwide.
• Dementia has a physical, psychological, social, and economic impact, not only on people with dementia, but also on their carers, families and society at large.
• Dementia is not a single disease; it’s an overall term — like heart disease — that covers a wide range of specific medical conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease.
• Though dementia generally involves memory loss, memory loss has different causes. Having memory loss alone doesn't mean you have dementia.
• On the contrary, people with early dementia can also have intact memory but dysfunction in other cognitive abilities.
• Symptoms:
• Dementia symptoms vary depending on the cause, but common signs and symptoms include:
• Cognitive changes:
  • Memory loss, which is usually noticed by a spouse or someone else
  • Difficulty communicating or finding words
  • Difficulty with visual and spatial abilities, such as getting lost while driving
  • Difficulty reasoning or problem-solving
  • Difficulty handling complex tasks
  • Difficulty with planning and organizing
  • Difficulty with coordination and motor functions
  • Confusion and disorientation
• Psychological changes
  • Personality changes
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Inappropriate behaviour
  • Paranoia
  • Agitation
  • Hallucinations
• Aetiology: Dementia is caused by damage to or loss of nerve cells and their connections in the brain. Depending on the area of the brain that's affected by the damage, dementia can affect people differently and cause different symptoms.
• Some type of Dementias, particularly due to deficiency of Vitamins or certain other conditions (Obstructive Hydrocephalus) are reversible. Otherwise, dementia is usually progressive in nature.
• Preventive Measures:Keep yourself active, balanced diet, regular exercise, no smoking/alcohol, manage other contributing conditions appropriately (DM/HTN/Dyslipidemia)
• To watch for Burnout in caretakers
• Multidisciplinary approach 

References:

1. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia
2. https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia
3. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dementia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352013