There are illnesses that not only affect those affected, but also their relatives. One such diagnosis is dementia. Dementia has many faces. This article provides information on the most important aspects of dementia and shows where those affected and their relatives can find support and a dementia doctor.
Many people see dementia as a disease in its own right. It is true that the word dementia is a generic term for various diseases, such as vascular dementia. On the other hand, it refers to a symptom, for example dementia in the context of Alzheimer's disease.
Dementia leads to a reduction in mental functions in those affected. These include orientation, short and long-term memory and general thinking. Personality changes are also noticeable.
As a general rule, dementia patients remain independent for longer if their symptoms are recognized and treated at an early stage. For this reason, it is important to take the first signs seriously and not simply ignore them.
The following questions will give you some guidance:
Do these problems or some of them sound familiar to you? Then you should definitely talk to your GP about it. It does not necessarily mean that you are suffering from dementia. Nevertheless, it is important to find out what is causing the symptoms.
If you feel that your symptoms are not being taken seriously or you want to get a reliable diagnosis straight away, make an appointment for a "memory consultation". Large clinics have specialists who will examine you comprehensively for brain disorders. You can find contacts in your area via the website of the German Alzheimer's Society.
Medicine distinguishes between different types of dementia.
After the onset of dementia, those affected live for an average of two to seven years.
The symptoms that accompany dementia are also assigned to different categories. In the early stages, the symptoms of dementia are similar to those of depression, so that neither those affected nor their relatives think of dementia in the first instance. For this reason, the following sections provide initial indications.
A central feature is memory loss, which becomes increasingly worse as the disease progresses. There is a high risk that those affected will either not notice these memory impairments themselves or will hide them from those around them and cover them up out of shame. For these reasons, most patients often find their way to the doctor late.
Other symptoms such as difficulty finding words or orientation problems (even in familiar surroundings) are among the cognitive deficits.
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In the course of dementia, there may also be a loss of motor skills. This must be distinguished from another disease - Parkinson's disease - which begins with the same motor disorders(tremors). The motor disorders endanger the patient in everyday life. In particular, the risk of falling increases rapidly. Motor disorders can be recognized above all by an unsteady gait with small steps.
Behavioral disorders are an aspect that can be stressful and exhausting, especially for relatives. Patients show various symptoms, such as disinhibition, apathy, hallucinations, aggression, sleep disorders, anxiety or depressive phases. Behavioral abnormalities also include the dwindling ability to manage their own household or to ensure adequate personal hygiene.
As already mentioned, GPs are usually the first port of call for people with memory disorders. In order to clarify the symptoms in detail, the general practitioner refers the patient to a neurologist or psychiatrist.
In the neurologist's office, the doctor will take a detailed medical history. Mental capacity is assessed, for example, using the DemTect, a dementia screening test. The Mini Mental Status Test (MMST) can also be used for this purpose. This procedure provides initial, reliable indications of dementia.
Imaging procedures such as MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or nuclear medicine PET (positron emission tomography) provide information about organic changes in the brain.
Before the doctor diagnoses dementia, he or she must rule out other diseases (differential diagnosis). This includes so-called pseudo-dementia. The term describes symptoms that resemble dementia. For example, severe depression is often accompanied by concentration and memory disorders. Psychomotor inhibition can also be observed in depressed people. - These phenomena could also indicate dementia.
When researching the causes, doctors distinguish between two types of dementia.
In primary forms of dementia, the focus is on pathological changes in the brain. Alzheimer's disease or vascular dementia lead to the degeneration of nerve cells and trigger the typical symptoms.
In secondary forms of dementia , dementia develops as a result of external influences or certain pre-existing conditions. Examples of triggers for secondary dementia are
Of course, increasing life expectancy also leads to an increase in dementia.
Alzheimer's and vascular dementia - not curable. The appropriate therapy usually consists of a combination of medication, psychotherapy and special training. The treatment can slow down the progression of the disease and thus improve quality of life.
The medication can be given either in tablet form or as a solution. For some time now, doctors have increasingly been using active ingredient patches that release their active ingredients continuously. This is a great relief for relatives and care staff.
The following therapy components supplement drug treatment:
Many people are concerned with the question of whether dementia can be prevented. There is no general answer to this question. A balanced diet, sufficient exercise, social contacts and "brain jogging" are things that have a positive effect on mental performance and general well-being.
Certain pre-existing conditions increase the risk of dementia and must therefore be treated early and consistently. First and foremost is high blood pressure. The pressure on the blood vessels promotes vascular dementia in particular. This also applies to arteriosclerosis (vascular calcification).
A chronic, progressive disease always means a major setback in life. There are various points of contact for those affected and their relatives - from regional self-help groups to specialist associations and internet forums.
The German Alzheimer Society offers comprehensive support.
Relatives can find a competent point of contact, for example, at the regional Caritas specialist centers for caregiving relatives . The specialist center supports relatives in all matters. A diagnosis of dementia poses major challenges for those around the person affected and raises many questions. Specialists provide advice and support during this time.
Conclusion: Dementia is an enormous challenge. A network of competent supporters is available to help those affected and their relatives overcome this challenge.
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