Classification or type of dementia, diseases that make senile dementia

The older a person is, the higher the risk of several diseases. One example is dementia. Yes, this disease, which generally attacks people aged 65 years and over, causes the cells in the brain to become damaged and even die. However, did you know that dementia consists of many types. Come on, get to know the classification of dementia through the following reviews.

Classification of dementia, aka dementia

Dementia is not really a disease, but a set of symptoms that affect the brain's ability to remember, speak and socialize. People with this condition need help from others, because most of them find it difficult to carry out daily activities, even in maintaining personal hygiene.

According to the National Institute of Aging, dementia does not consist of just one type. There are many types of dementia and each type exhibits different symptoms and treatment. For more details, let's discuss one by one the classification of dementia.

1. Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease is different from dementia. The reason is because dementia covers various diseases that attack the brain, one of which is Alzheimer's disease. That means, Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia.

Alzheimer's disease is a disease that causes progressive degeneration of the brain. The exact causes of this most common classification of dementia are fully understood. However, scientists think the disease may be related to a protein problem in the brain that fails to function properly.

As a result, the work of brain cells becomes disrupted and releases toxins that can damage or even kill the brain cells themselves.

The damage most often occurs in the hippocampus area, which is the part of the brain that controls memory. That is why frequent forgetfulness or memory loss is the most typical symptom of Alzheimer's disease.

Apart from difficulty remembering, there are other accompanying symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, such as:

• Frequently repeating questions, forgetting to chat, forgetting appointments, easily getting lost on the road that is usually traveled, or carelessly putting things that have just been used.
• It's hard to think because you can't focus on something. This condition sometimes makes it difficult for someone to make decisions and judge something.
• Difficulty doing things in order, which makes them hampered from doing daily activities.
• More sensitive, mood swings, delusions, and depression.

Alzheimer's disease patients are usually treated with the drugs donepezil (Aricept), galantamine (Razadyne), rivastigmine (Exelon), and the drug memantine (Namenda).

2. Lewis body dementia

The next classification of dementia is Lewis body dementia. This type of dementia is quite common after Alzheimer's disease. Lewy body dementia occurs as a result of a protein deposit called the Lewis body that develops in nerve cells in a part of the brain involved in thinking, memory, and motor control (body movement).

This disease is closely related to Parkinson's disease, which causes body muscles to become stiff, slow body movements, and tremors. Symptoms of Parkinson's disease at first glance are similar to Lewy body dementia, but there are other accompanying symptoms, such as:

• Experiencing hallucinations, whether you feel a sound, appearance, smell, or touch that is not there.
• Has difficulty sleeping but is sleepy or takes longer naps.
• Experiencing depression and loss of motivation.
• Often experience indigestion or headaches.

People who are diagnosed with this type of dementia are also given the same drugs as those for Alzheimer's disease patients. However, medication is usually complemented by drugs for Parkinson's disease.

3. Vascular dementia

This classification of dementia is susceptible to attacking people who have hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, and have smoking habits. This is because vascular dementia is a disorder of brain function due to obstruction of the flow of oxygen-rich blood and nutrients to the brain.

The main cause of this type of dementia is stroke which blocks the arteries of the brain and damaged or narrowed blood vessels in the brain.

People with vascular dementia will usually experience symptoms including:

• Difficulty concentrating, reading situations, making plans, and conveying these plans to others.
• It's easy to forget names, places, or steps to do something.
• Easily restless and sensitive.
• Loss of motivation and depression.
• Frequent urination or not being able to control urination.

Treatment for this type of dementia focuses on managing the health condition that is the underlying cause. For example, patients will be asked to take diabetes medications, blood thinners, cholesterol-lowering drugs, and stop smoking.

Treatment is also complemented by the adoption of a lifestyle to control blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels at normal levels.

4. Frontotemporal dementia

Apart from Alzheimer's disease, the classification of dementia is also divided into frontotemporal dementia. This type of dementia indicates a malfunctioning of the brain, especially the front and side areas of the brain. Than other types, frontotemporal dementia usually begins to show symptoms earlier, namely at the age of 45-65 years.

The most prominent symptom of frontotemporal dementia is a change in behavior. People who have it often make repetitive body movements or put non-food items into their mouths. They also lack empathy and lose interest in things they used to enjoy.

Other symptoms that commonly accompany patients with this type of dementia are:

• Difficulty understanding language, both spoken and written. Likewise, when they speak, there are often words that are wrong in the composition of the sentence.
• Body movements become disturbed due to feeling stiffness or muscle spasms, difficulty swallowing, and tremors.

Treatments for this type of dementia include antidepressants, antipsychotic drugs, and speech therapy to help patients communicate better.

5. Mixed dementia

The last classification of dementia is mixed dementia, which is dementia a combination of two or more types of dementia. For example, the combination of Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.

Several studies have shown that mixed dementia is quite common in the elderly. Autopsy studies looking at the brains of people with dementia suggest that most people who are 80 and older may have mixed dementia. Generally this is caused by a combination of brain changes associated with Alzheimer's disease, processes related to vascular disease, or other neurodegenerative conditions.

In people with mixed dementia, a variety of symptoms can be experienced. However, it is possible to see which symptoms are predominant if we observe carefully. From observing the symptoms and further examination, the doctor can determine which treatment is most appropriate.