Dementia in older adults is usually
a progressive mental deterioration and involves functions such as memory, learning and problem solving. Little change is noted initially on an
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everyday basis, as mental deterioration usually progresses slowly over a period of months.
Cause
Alzheimer’s disease is the cause of more than half of all cases of dementia.
In 25% of cases, dementia is caused by blockages in the small blood vessels in the brain. This is called
vascular dementia. People with diabetes and hypertension are at risk.
Trauma or head injury has been shown to result in dementia in about 15% of all cases.
Other common causes of dementia include:
Chronic infections
Medication side-effects
Poor nutrition
Heavy drinking over a long period of time
Parkinson’s disease
Hypothyroidism
Brain tumours
Multiple sclerosis
Renal failure
Liver disorders
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) or B12 deficiency
Symptoms
Symptoms usually develop gradually. If symptoms develop quickly, delirium is the
most likely diagnosis. The general symptoms of dementia are:
Short-term memory loss
Inability to perform and complete everyday activities
Confusion
Impaired judgement
Getting lost in familiar places
Paranoia or suspicion of others
Strange behaviour, deterioration of mood
Reviewed by Dr Frans Hugo, MBChB, M.Med Psychiatry.
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