{"id":148642,"date":"2025-02-05T11:07:51","date_gmt":"2025-02-05T11:07:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/?p=148642"},"modified":"2025-02-05T11:07:51","modified_gmt":"2025-02-05T11:07:51","slug":"understanding-dementia-by-nisal-rukshan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/understanding-dementia-by-nisal-rukshan\/","title":{"rendered":"UNDERSTANDING DEMENTIA AND SUPPORTING THOSE IN NEED – By Nisal Rukshan"},"content":{"rendered":"

UNDERSTANDING DEMENTIA AND SUPPORTING THOSE IN NEED – By Nisal Rukshan<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"UNDERSTANDING<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"NisalIn a cycle of life, we encounter a series of changes that make each person\u2019s life unique from the other. Among these changes, the ability to interact with others gives life its meaning. However there are moments such as instances of forgetfulness, when we may generally ask “Do you have dementia?”<\/span><\/p>\n

Is Dementia that simple to explain? The answer is no. Therefore, this article is written to provide sufficient knowledge about Dementia to help reduce the usage of the word in discussing it with others for simple issues.<\/span><\/p>\n

In simple terms, Dementia derives from a set of symptoms that interfere with an individual’s daily functioning due to cognitive decline. During such events, a person may experience issues such as memory loss, complications of clear thinking, focusing issues, and an inability to control emotions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Symptoms<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

In the context of Dementia, symptoms include confusion, difficulty recognizing others, challenges with reading and writing something, difficulty in speaking, hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, impulsivity, memory loss, poor judgement, disorientation of familiar environments, repetitive behavior, taking lomger to complete a task.<\/span><\/p>\n

It’s very important to understand this: even if someone shows these cognitive and behavioural issues, we can only suspect Dementia. The specialized doctor must provide a clear diagnosis and certification through a proper medical examination.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stages of Dementia<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Afterward, the relevant stages of Dementia can be recognized; therefore, it is important to understand the stages along with their simple symptoms. According to medical specialists, the early stage of Dementia includes symptoms such as forgetfulness, losing track of time, and difficulty in recognizing familiar places. However, even with such behaviours, individuals can still operate independently.<\/span><\/p>\n

Similarly, in the second stage of Dementia, symptoms may include forgetting recent events and names, easily causing confusion, difficulty communicating, and frequently asking the same questions. This stage is important because such individuals require support during daily activities, especially in areas such as personal hygiene.<\/span><\/p>\n

The final stage of Dementia is referred to as late-stage Dementia. In this stage patients may shows the symptoms such as the loss of bladder or bowel control, delusions, hallucinations, memory loss on a larger scale, paranoia, and impaired mobility.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"UNDERSTANDING<\/p>\n

Diagnosis <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

In the modern world, with technology, the diagnosis of Dementia is not very complex. Tests with technologically connected CT scans and MRI Magnetic Resonance Imaging PET can easily identify the changes in the brain. Additionally, blood tests can provide clues, like measuring levels of beta-amyloid proteins associated with Alzheimer’s (the most common type of Dementia in the world).<\/span><\/p>\n

Cognitive tests like solving problems, mental appreciation, situation handling language, etc, are also used as cognitive tests to diagnose Dementia.<\/span><\/p>\n

Risk Factors <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Like every disease Dementia has its own risk factors. Among these, age is a vital factor for people aged 65 and beyond, as recognized by medical experts. Similarly, family history also plays a substantial role in developing Dementia when growing old. Additionally, health conditions followed by TBI (Traumatic Brain Injuries) have also been identified as another factor. Furthermore, gender and race also seem to be average factors of concern thereby. On average, African American and Hispanic individuals have a higher risk of developing Dementia compared to White individuals, and some studies suggest that women are at greater risk than men.<\/span><\/p>\n

When discussing Dementia, many people ask whether Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia are the same. The answer is Alzheimer’s disease is a specific type of Dementia while Dementia is a general term that refers to a group of symptoms affecting the brain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Types of Dementia <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

There are several types of Dementia worldwide. According to the data, the following are the most common types:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n