Dementia refers to a loss of cognitive function (cognition) due to changes in the brain caused by disease or trauma. In some cases, the dementia can be treated and cured because the cause is treatable. In some cases, although the person may appear to have dementia, a severe depression can be causing the symptoms. The most common dementia symptoms include loss of memory, confusion, and changes in personality, mood and behaviour. Another 20-30% is due to blood vessel disease ("multi-infarct dementia" or "mini-strokes"). Dementia develops when the parts of the brain that are involved with learning, memory, decision-making, and language are affected by one or more of a variety of infections or diseases. The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer's disease, but there are as many as 50 other known causes. Most of these causes are very rare. Because some causes of dementia can be cured or partially treated, it is very important that your doctor is thorough when making the diagnosis, so as not to miss potentially treatable conditions.

Causes of Dementia

The common Causes of Dementia :

Diseases that cause degeneration or loss of nerve cellsin the brain such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's.
Infections that affect the brain and spinal cord, such as AIDS dementia complex and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
Either a single severe head injury or longer term smaller injuries, like in boxers
Kidney, liver, and lung diseases can all lead to dementia.
Certain types of hydrocephalus, an accumulation of fluid in the brain that can result from developmental abnormalities, infections, injury, or brain tumors.
Diseases that affect blood vessels, such as stroke, or multi-infarct dementia, which is caused by multiple strokes in the brain.

Symptoms of Dementia

Some Symptoms of Dementia :

Poor judgment
Progressive memory loss
Confusion ,
Language difficulties
Changes in mood.
Loss of initiative.

Treatment of Dementia

Take vitamins for a deficiency of folic acid , vitamin B 12 , or thiamine.
Have surgery to remove a brain tumor or to reduce pressure on the brain.
Get treatment for reversible conditions caused by AIDS .
Take medicines to treat an infection, such as encephalitis , that is causing changes in mental state.
Take medicine to treat depression .
Stop or change medications that are causing memory loss or confusion.

Bowel & Stomach Diseases

Appendicitis
Barett's Oesophagus
Coeliac Disease
Crohn's Disease

Heart Problems

Angina
Aortic Aneurysm
Aortic Regurgitation
Aortic Stenosis
Arrhythmias
Atrial Fibrillation

Infectious Diseases

Bacterial Vaginosis
Bird Flu
Boils
Cellulitis
Chicken Pox
Cystitis

Skin Disorders

Acne
Alopecia Areata
Baldness

Women Diseases

Abnormal Periods
Atropic Vaginitis
Breast Cancer
Breast Pain
Cervical Cancer

Liver & Kidney Diseases

Cholecystitis
Cirrhosis
Fatty Liver Disease
Kidney Cancer
Liver Cancer

Mental Health

Anorexia Nervosa
Bipolar Affective Disorder
Bulimia Nervosa
Dementia
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Schizophrenia

Disclaimer : All information on www.family-health-guide.org is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, please consult your doctor.