Dementia is the loss of intellectual abilities to the extent of interfering with normal social or occupational function. It is a severe and permanent deterioration of mental functions. It is a disease where brain cells die in an abnormal way. It is a term used to describe progressive degenerative brain disease. It is not part of normal ageing. The memory, thinking, behavior and emotions are affected in dementia. It occurs in people of all cultures and educational background. Dementia may also change a person's mood and personality. At first, memory loss and trouble thinking clearly may bother the person who has dementia. Later, disruptive behavior and other problems may start. The person who has dementia may not be aware of these problems. .
Dementia is caused by the destruction of brain cells. A head injury, a stroke, a brain tumor or a problem like Alzheimer's disease can damage brain cells. Some people have a family history of dementia. Although there is no cure for dementia, treatments are available to manage the symptoms. .
Dementia causes many problems for the person who has it and for the person's family. Many of the problems are due to loss of memory. Some common signs of dementia are listed below. Not everyone who has dementia will have all of these signs. .
There are many symptoms of Dementia. All of us forget things for a while and then remember them later. People with dementia often forget things, but they never remember them. They might ask you the same question over and over, each time forgetting that you already answered that question. They won't even remember that they already asked the question. People who have dementia might cook a meal but forget to serve it. They might even forget that they cooked it. They may forget simple words or use the wrong words. This makes it hard to understand what they want. People with dementia may even get lost on their own street. They may forget how they got to a certain place and how to get back home.