Blog #7 Research Findings

    Before researching my topic choice, I only knew the information about dementia that I had learned through experience. I knew that the major symptom was a decline in memory and that a large amount of people suffered from the condition. However, there is much more to be learned about dementia.

    About 5-8% of all people over age 65 have the condition, and the number doubles every 5 years above that age. Statistics show that over 24 million people worldwide suffer from some form of dementia. There are many forms of dementia, with Alzheimer's being the most common at about 70%.

(This graph shows the percentages of various causes.)

    Dementia does not progress in set stages. However, it does continue to progress until the patient dies. Most cases are incurable, but there are a few that can be cured if the cause is fixed. For example, if it was caused by tumors, then the removal of the tumors may cure the dementia. With over 50 causes, there are several that one would not normally suspect, such as smoking, high levels of alcohol consumption, or obesity. The untreatable patients may be prescribed a medication, but it can only slow down the progression.

(The brain of a patient with Vascular Dementia.)

    There is an extensive list of symptoms. The most common or recognized one is memory loss. A few other symptoms that may be exhibited are anxiety, frailty, communication problems, difficulty eating, pain, and an alternate personality. The most commonly recorded cause of death is aspiration pneumonia, one of the symptoms. Many patients become aggressive or confrontational because they can't express their needs or wishes.

    Because patients lose their grip on reality, and some suffer from hallucinations, they could put themselves in great danger. Even if it is midnight and the middle of winter, a patient may wander outside without letting anybody know. Some believe they need to run an erran, such as going to buy milk, and they think that it is in the afternoon. In their mind, the situation makes perfect sense, and one can't rationalize with them.

    To conclude my paper, I discussed my personal experience with this condition. I also explained a few preventive measures that one can participate in to attempt to minimize their chances. For example. the best way to prevent the onset of dementia is to stay healthy.