Dementia differences

Dementia is a term used loosely, however, its definition is that of a collection of similar symptoms caused by different disease processes. Memory problems, loss of cognition and difficulty carrying out everyday tasks are signs of dementia, as are personality changes. Dementia is commonly caused by Alzheimer’s disease, a disease process whereby protein is deposited in the brain, causing disruption to neural signals. Cerebrovascular disease is another cause where parts of the brain are starved of oxygen and nutrients due to poor blood flow, resulting in death of the neural tissue, or “micro strokes”. Parkinson’s disease, head injuries, and chronic alcohol abuse are other less common causes of dementia. Dementia can be diagnosed with family descriptions of change in the persons behaviour, blood tests to rule out organic causes, an analytical mental questionnaire and a head CT scan. Medication can be used to effectively reduce a persons’ symptoms in some cases.

Source: summary of medical news story as reported by The Herald-Mail online

Related Disease Topics:

• Dementia
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Cerebrovascular disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Head injuries
• Chronic alcohol abuse (see Alcohol abuse)
• Micro strokes

Related Symptom Topics:

• Memory problems
• Loss of cognition
• Difficulty carrying out everyday tasks
• Personality changes

Article Source Details

About: Dementia differences

Date: 14 November 2005

Source: The Herald-Mail online

Author: Matthew Wagner

URL: http://www.herald-mail.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=124379&format=html

Related Medical Topics

This summary article refers to the following medical categories:

• Cause of dementia
• Cause of memory problems
• Cause of loss of cognition
• Cause of difficulty carrying out everyday tasks
• Cause of personality changes
• Cause of loss of memory
• Cause of forgetfulness
• Cause of change in behavior
• Cause of micro strokes
• Cause of Alzheimer’s disease
• Diagnosis
• Diagnosis and dementia
• Diagnosis and Alzheimer’s disease
• Diagnosis and cerebrovascular disease
• Diagnosis and micro stroke
• Diagnosis and Parkinson’s dementia
• Diagnosis and head injury
• Diagnosis and chronic alcohol abuse
• Diagnosis and memory problems
• Diagnosis and loss of cognition
• Diagnosis and difficulty carrying out everyday tasks
• Diagnosis and personality changes
• Diagnosis and forgetfulness
• Diagnosis and change in behavior
• Diagnosis and loss of memory
• Medication
• Medication and dementia

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