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<strong>Dementia: Definition and core features</strong><br />Dementia is a long-term progressive decline in the cognitive function, which can potentially begin to interfere with daily activities. It involves the impairment of memory and language, along with executive function and behaviour. The onset is usually insidious (Images: Canva)

Dementia: Definition and core features
Dementia is a long-term progressive decline in the cognitive function, which can potentially begin to interfere with daily activities. It involves the impairment of memory and language, along with executive function and behaviour. The onset is usually insidious (Images: Canva)

<strong>Causes of dementia and how it progresses</strong><br />Dementia often results from diseases like Alzheimer’s, and slowly begins to deteriorate over the course of time, thus affecting the person’s independence and self-care. The loss of short-term memory is one of the earliest clinical features of this condition.

Causes of dementia and how it progresses
Dementia often results from diseases like Alzheimer’s, and slowly begins to deteriorate over the course of time, thus affecting the person’s independence and self-care. The loss of short-term memory is one of the earliest clinical features of this condition.

<strong>Early memory difficulties</strong><br />The affected individuals begin to forget recent conversations, and do not remember where they’ve placed certain objects. Some may begin repeating their questions too. However, long-term memory remains intact in the initial stages of dementia. The family members may begin to notice the forgetfulness initially.

Early memory difficulties
The affected individuals begin to forget recent conversations, and do not remember where they’ve placed certain objects. Some may begin repeating their questions too. However, long-term memory remains intact in the initial stages of dementia. The family members may begin to notice the forgetfulness initially.

<strong>Language and communication issues</strong><br />Language and communication difficulties are often observed, and persons with dementia are unable to find words to express themselves. As the vocabulary reduces, they find it challenging to name things, and gradually, may lose fluency and comprehension.

Language and communication issues
Language and communication difficulties are often observed, and persons with dementia are unable to find words to express themselves. As the vocabulary reduces, they find it challenging to name things, and gradually, may lose fluency and comprehension.

<strong>Circumlocutory speech changes</strong><br />Speech, in such cases, becomes circumlocutory, which implies that the persons may use many words (where only a few are required) in an attempt to adequately express themselves. Besides this, the individual may find it difficult to solve problems and organise tasks.

Circumlocutory speech changes
Speech, in such cases, becomes circumlocutory, which implies that the persons may use many words (where only a few are required) in an attempt to adequately express themselves. Besides this, the individual may find it difficult to solve problems and organise tasks.

<strong>Executive dysfunction features</strong><br />Impaired executive function affects planning of daily activities. Other symptoms include irritability and aggression, along with apathy and loss of inhibitions. The person may become emotionally labile and anxious, and can show signs of depression as well.

Executive dysfunction features
Impaired executive function affects planning of daily activities. Other symptoms include irritability and aggression, along with apathy and loss of inhibitions. The person may become emotionally labile and anxious, and can show signs of depression as well.

<strong>Visuospatial and recognition problems</strong><br />Getting lost in familiar places and misjudging distances is also common in those with dementia. Prosopagnosia occurs, which refers to a difficulty in recognising faces. They may even struggle with navigating stairs and dressing. Some people also experience motor symptoms.

Visuospatial and recognition problems
Getting lost in familiar places and misjudging distances is also common in those with dementia. Prosopagnosia occurs, which refers to a difficulty in recognising faces. They may even struggle with navigating stairs and dressing. Some people also experience motor symptoms.

<strong>Sleep–wake disturbances</strong><br />As the sleep-wake cycle gets affected, wandering at night and early awakening of the person may be noticed by the family members. Sleeping during the day is common, and poor sleep worsens cognition. Sleep hygiene and environmental changes may be suggested.

Sleep–wake disturbances
As the sleep-wake cycle gets affected, wandering at night and early awakening of the person may be noticed by the family members. Sleeping during the day is common, and poor sleep worsens cognition. Sleep hygiene and environmental changes may be suggested.

<strong>Clinical assessment approach</strong><br />The diagnosis is made after a thorough history from the person and their family, and focuses on the onset, progression, duration, and behavioural changes. Impact on daily activities is assessed, and functional scales may aid in determining living impairment.

Clinical assessment approach
The diagnosis is made after a thorough history from the person and their family, and focuses on the onset, progression, duration, and behavioural changes. Impact on daily activities is assessed, and functional scales may aid in determining living impairment.

<strong>Supportive management strategies</strong><br />Cognitive stimulation therapy and structured daily routines may help in dealing with dementia. Reminiscence therapy and environmental modifications have also been recommended. The family’s support, along with fall-prevention techniques and occupational therapy can be helpful. <strong>(Disclaimer: This article only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific diagnosis)</strong>

Supportive management strategies
Cognitive stimulation therapy and structured daily routines may help in dealing with dementia. Reminiscence therapy and environmental modifications have also been recommended. The family’s support, along with fall-prevention techniques and occupational therapy can be helpful. (Disclaimer: This article only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific diagnosis)

<strong>Dementia: Definition and core features</strong><br />Dementia is a long-term progressive decline in the cognitive function, which can potentially begin to interfere with daily activities. It involves the impairment of memory and language, along with executive function and behaviour. The onset is usually insidious (Images: Canva)

<strong>Causes of dementia and how it progresses</strong><br />Dementia often results from diseases like Alzheimer’s, and slowly begins to deteriorate over the course of time, thus affecting the person’s independence and self-care. The loss of short-term memory is one of the earliest clinical features of this condition.

<strong>Early memory difficulties</strong><br />The affected individuals begin to forget recent conversations, and do not remember where they’ve placed certain objects. Some may begin repeating their questions too. However, long-term memory remains intact in the initial stages of dementia. The family members may begin to notice the forgetfulness initially.

<strong>Language and communication issues</strong><br />Language and communication difficulties are often observed, and persons with dementia are unable to find words to express themselves. As the vocabulary reduces, they find it challenging to name things, and gradually, may lose fluency and comprehension.

<strong>Circumlocutory speech changes</strong><br />Speech, in such cases, becomes circumlocutory, which implies that the persons may use many words (where only a few are required) in an attempt to adequately express themselves. Besides this, the individual may find it difficult to solve problems and organise tasks.

<strong>Executive dysfunction features</strong><br />Impaired executive function affects planning of daily activities. Other symptoms include irritability and aggression, along with apathy and loss of inhibitions. The person may become emotionally labile and anxious, and can show signs of depression as well.

<strong>Visuospatial and recognition problems</strong><br />Getting lost in familiar places and misjudging distances is also common in those with dementia. Prosopagnosia occurs, which refers to a difficulty in recognising faces. They may even struggle with navigating stairs and dressing. Some people also experience motor symptoms.

<strong>Sleep–wake disturbances</strong><br />As the sleep-wake cycle gets affected, wandering at night and early awakening of the person may be noticed by the family members. Sleeping during the day is common, and poor sleep worsens cognition. Sleep hygiene and environmental changes may be suggested.

<strong>Clinical assessment approach</strong><br />The diagnosis is made after a thorough history from the person and their family, and focuses on the onset, progression, duration, and behavioural changes. Impact on daily activities is assessed, and functional scales may aid in determining living impairment.

<strong>Supportive management strategies</strong><br />Cognitive stimulation therapy and structured daily routines may help in dealing with dementia. Reminiscence therapy and environmental modifications have also been recommended. The family’s support, along with fall-prevention techniques and occupational therapy can be helpful. <strong>(Disclaimer: This article only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific diagnosis)</strong>

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