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There are five types of dementia

  • drashokjbharucha
  • Sep 11, 2022
  • 3 min read

Dementia is caused by nerve cell damage in the brain. The five main types of dementia are Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and mixed dementia. Various types of brain damage can cause each type.


Frontotemporal dementia, which affects the frontal lobe of the brain, causes problems with language and mobility. This type of dementia is also known as progressive agrammatic aphasia or semantic dementia. Contacting a doctor for a proper diagnosis is critical because symptoms vary greatly from person to person. You can also look into the various local resources to learn more about the symptoms of frontotemporal dementia and possible treatments.


Frontotemporal dementia is similar to Alzheimer's disease in that it affects different brain parts. Abnormal proteins and tangles build inside the nerve cells of people with FTD. What these are are tau proteins. Although the cause of these aberrant molecules is unknown, some studies have suggested that defective genes may play a role. Although the condition can appear in people as young as 20, most cases appear between the ages of forty and sixty.


Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia, affecting mostly elderly people. Dementia, on the other hand, might appear earlier in life. In reality, early onset impacts only 5% of cases. Vascular dementia is a common type of dementia that occurs when the brain receives insufficient blood supply. This type of dementia can emerge gradually or unexpectedly. Vision loss and hallucinations are two possible vascular dementia symptoms.


Alzheimer's is a progressive neurological disorder that causes memory loss and cognitive decline. It may also have an effect on visuospatial orientation, behavior, and communication. It could potentially affect the motor system. Alzheimer's disease is the most common of the five types of dementia. There are, however, several subtypes of the condition.


When the blood arteries in the brain become unhealthy, a type of dementia known as vascular dementia develops. During this type of dementia, the patient's cognitive functions frequently degrade gradually. This illness can include memory loss, difficulty reasoning, and mood swings. Time may also exacerbate the condition, especially if another stroke occurs.


Vascular dementia cannot be treated; however, several drugs can slow the condition's progression. This therapy usually incorporates both pharmaceutical and dietary changes to address the disease's causes. They may need surgery to improve the blood circulation to the brain. In addition, the patient may be given a prescription for medication to alleviate the symptoms.


Lewy body dementia is a degenerative illness with no known cure. Several medications, however, can control it. Some of these treatments may allow people with this type of dementia to remain in their homes for several years. However, the symptoms of Lewy body dementia can worsen over time, and some people may eventually need to be admitted to a nursing home. While the average survival duration after diagnosis is close to Alzheimer's disease, some people live substantially longer.


Lewy body dementia symptoms can be confused with those of other types of dementia, such as Alzheimer's and schizophrenia, making it difficult to diagnose. It may sometimes appear alongside other types of dementia, such as vascular dementia. A thorough medical examination, as well as consultations with family members, are required for the diagnosis. A doctor will do physical and laboratory tests to rule out any other possible explanations for the symptoms.


In dementia patients, a group of symptoms known as mixed dementia can occur; it is most common in persons aged 80 and up. Other symptoms of this illness, such as personality changes and difficulty thinking, are common. Although the elderly are more likely to suffer from this ailment, it can also be a sign of a more serious problem. Although more severe, the symptoms of mixed dementia frequently match those of Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, mixed dementia frequently arises before Alzheimer's disease.


One of the major difficulties it highlights is that mixed dementia is commonly misdiagnosed. Because the symptoms are similar, people frequently confuse this illness with a specific type of dementia. This could result in missed therapeutic options. Mixed dementia symptoms might differ depending on which part of the brain is affected. Nonetheless, they tend to be more severe in persons who already have one or more types of dementia.

 
 
 

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