6 Types Of Dementia

Dementia is a term used to describe a variety of neurological conditions that cause memory loss. Most dementias worsen over time and are not reversible.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia and accounts for about two-thirds of cases. The disease causes plaques (fibrous patches) and tangles to form in the brain.

1. Alzheimer’s Disease

The most common type of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease is caused by a build-up of two substances inside the brain. These clump together and tangle, making it harder for the brain to function properly. This affects many areas of the brain and causes problems with memory, thinking, and behavior.

Memory loss is the most obvious symptom of Alzheimer’s disease. But other symptoms may develop as the disease progresses.

It is important to get an early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s if you are concerned that someone you know has it. This will help with treatment and make it easier for you to support them through the illness.

People who have Alzheimer’s usually notice the first signs of the disease when they start to forget things, such as appointments or conversation topics. They may also have trouble concentrating and finishing tasks.

Their ability to think about abstract concepts, such as numbers and money, can also be affected. They will have difficulty balancing a checkbook or remembering to pay bills on time.

They may also become disoriented about where they are or what is happening around them. They may also experience delusions, such as believing that someone is stealing from them or that their spouse is unfaithful.

As the disease gets worse, a person will need more and more help with their daily lives. They will also need to take medications to slow or stop the symptoms of Alzheimer’s.

2. Vascular Dementia

Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia, and it occurs when blood vessels in the brain are damaged. Causes include strokes, high blood pressure and disorders that cause blood clots (such as atrial fibrillation).

Most people with vascular dementia are diagnosed by a doctor’s exam and tests. These may include a blood test, an electroencephalogram or a brain-imaging study, such as a CT scan or MRI. These tests look for changes in brain tissue that can happen due to strokes, blood vessel diseases and tumors.

Your doctor will talk with you about your symptoms, your family history and your risk factors for vascular dementia. He or she will also check for other conditions that could cause your symptoms, such as depression, a heart problem and high blood pressure.

The main goal of treatment is to control factors that increase your chances of having a stroke or other type of vascular dementia. Your doctor can prescribe medications to help lower your blood pressure and keep clots from forming. He or she can also recommend lifestyle changes that can improve your health and slow the progression of vascular dementia.

You may be able to prevent some of the damage that causes vascular dementia by controlling your high blood pressure, reducing your cholesterol levels and eating a healthier diet. You can also try exercising regularly. It’s a great way to reduce stress and improve your health.

3. Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s Disease is a chronic neurodegenerative condition that causes gradual loss of motor skills. Symptoms include tremor, rigidity, slow movement and shuffling. It affects men and women of all ages.

Often, people with Parkinson’s have trouble performing simple tasks, such as sitting up in bed or getting out of a chair. They may also have a hard time walking and bending over.

Doctors can diagnose Parkinson’s by looking at your health history, physical and neurological exam and reviewing your symptoms. They may use imaging tests, such as a CAT scan or MRI, to see how much of your brain is affected by the disorder.

Your healthcare provider may recommend that you take medications to help reduce or control your symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. These medications can be given as tablets or by injection.

If you have early-stage Parkinson’s disease, these medications can make a significant impact on your symptoms and improve your quality of life. However, the effectiveness of some medications can decline as the disease progresses.

As a result, you should talk with your healthcare provider about your treatment options and consider talking to a counselor or psychiatrist if you notice that your medication isn’t as effective as it was before.

If you have late-stage Parkinson’s disease, you may benefit from surgery called deep brain stimulation (DBS). A small electrode is implanted in specific parts of your brain to deliver a pulse of electricity that interrupts the normal flow of information in your brain.

4. Lewy Bodies

Lewy bodies are clumps of proteins that can form in the brain. They can cause problems with your memory, movement, thinking skills and mood. These problems can keep you from doing everyday things or taking care of yourself.

Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a common type of dementia. It can happen alone or along with other brain diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

It usually happens in people over 65. It is a progressive condition that worsens over time. It lasts an average of five to eight years from diagnosis to death, but it can be longer for some people.

When you first see a doctor for LBD, they will do a medical history. They will also do tests to make sure other conditions aren’t the cause of your symptoms. These tests may include blood and brain imaging tests.

Your doctor will talk to you and your family members about your symptoms. They will also look at your brain for signs of dementia, such as changes in the acetylcholine neurotransmitter levels. They may also do a neurological exam to test your mental function, including memory, word-finding and attention.

People with LBD often have problems with both movement and thinking, and may have visual hallucinations, which are seeing things that aren’t there. They might also have a sleep disorder that causes them to act out their dreams or thrash around in their sleep. They might also have slowed movement, rigid muscles or a tremor (parkinsonism).

5. Frontotemporal Dementia

Frontotemporal dementia is a kind of dementia that happens because parts of your brain in the frontal and temporal lobes shrink (atrophy). People with FTD usually start having symptoms around 45 to 60, which is much earlier than Alzheimer’s disease shows up.

You might start to notice changes in your behavior, mood or language. These could be subtle if you’re very young or more serious if you are older.

At the beginning, you might not realize what is happening because your memory is still unaffected and you have no other symptoms of dementia. But your quality of life starts to get worse, so it’s important to see a doctor.

Symptoms of FTD vary depending on which areas of the brain are affected first. They include changes in your personality and behavior, problems with language and movement.

If you’re worried about someone’s changes in their behavior or language, see your doctor. They might recommend some therapies that can help you and your loved one.

For example, speech therapy might help people with semantic dementia to develop alternative ways of communicating. They may also recommend medication to help with any secondary symptoms, such as depression or sleep problems.

Having a family history of dementia is also a risk factor for developing FTD. If you’re worried about a family member, talk to your doctor and see if they can refer you to a geneticist. They might be able to do a blood test or MRI to check for possible genetic causes.

6. Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a rare and fatal condition that causes brain damage. It happens when a protein called a prion (misshapen version of a normal protein) builds up in the brain.

These prions are very infectious and damage nerve cells in the brain, making it harder for you to think and understand what you are seeing. It also causes muscle spasms and movement problems, and can make you lose balance.

It is one of several prion diseases that affect humans and animals. It is also known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE).

The symptoms of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease can be very similar to those of Alzheimer’s disease. However, CJD gets worse much faster and most people die within a year of getting it.

Early symptoms are memory loss, confusion, and problems with thinking. These symptoms can happen gradually or suddenly. In some people, the first symptom is involuntary jerking of muscles.

In people with variant CJD, the first symptom is usually psychiatric symptoms, such as anxiety or depression. Later, the symptoms get worse and the person loses his or her ability to move and speak.

Treatment for this condition focuses on relieving symptoms as much as possible. It includes medications that help relieve pain and prevent involuntary jerking movements, called myoclonus. It also may include drugs that help reduce the chance of seizures, called status epilepticus.

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