Dementia - 48 types of dementia 


Dementia is a medical condition that interferes with the way the brain functions. 
Symptoms of dementia include cognitive impairment, functional impairment, behavioral and personality changes. 
Word “dementia” is from the word “demence” meaning “incapacitation of the mental facilities.” 
The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer's disease which is now estimated to account for approximately 60 to 80 per cent of all dementias. People can have more than one dementia at a time and people can develop Alzheimer's as a secondary dementia. 
Other common types of dementia include multi-infarct, vascular, frontal-temporal, Pick's Disease, Lewy Body, Parkinson's, Korsakoff's, AIDS related dementia, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, etc. 
Reversible dementias don't actually exist, because once damage is done and tissue is destroyed, the dementia disease process may be able to be stopped, but the damage is done and the tissue can't be rebuilt. 

Diagnosing Dementia 

Early and careful evaluation is essential to rule out other conditions that may be treatable. There is no single diagnostic test. A comprehensive evaluation to establish diagnosis includes a complete health history, physical examination, neurological and mental status/cognition assessments, blood and urine analysis, EKG, EEG, MRI, MRA, CT scan, thyroid panels and others as indicated. 

Management of Dementia 

Medical Management includes health, nutrition, exercise and medication management. 
Social Management includes leisure activity and memory aids. 
Behavioral Management includes creative intervention and problem solving, care for the care giver, counseling and support groups. 
Legal and Financial Planning includes advance directives and powers of attorney for medical and financial questions. 
Environmental Management provides adaptation, structure and support. 
Delirium

Delirium is a temporary, acute, life threatening medical condition that causes disorientation, hallucinations, incoherent speech, confusion, and requires immediate medical attention. 

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