Does dementia affect only the elderly?

Dementia is very rarely seen in the younger population, especially below 50 years. It is a disease of the senile and most commonly affects the elderly population above 65 years of age. Certain types of dementia caused by traumatic brain injury, HIV, alcoholism, etc. can affect the young population, but the incidence is very low.

Are there any foods that can improve memory?

Certain foods that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids such as fish, avocados, nuts and seeds are considered to be brain tonics as they contain essential fatty acids that are important for the normal functioning of the nervous system. Other foods like dark chocolate, berries, whole grains, etc. are also considered to boost memory. However, the role of these foods in patients with dementia is not yet well established. A patient with dementia must be encouraged to have a balanced and nutritious diet as they may forget to eat meals at regular intervals and not get sufficient nutrition.

Can dementia patients ever get their memory back?

It is believed that most patients with dementia, especially Alzheimer’s dementia, have not lost their memories, rather they struggle to remember them. In advanced stages of dementia, the patient may have periods of complete forgetfulness and may not be able to remember even their own name. There may also be periods of lucidity, wherein the patient is able to remember about themselves and their surroundings in between periods of memory loss.

Dementia

Written By Dr. Sakshi SharmaBDS

Reviewed By Dr. Varun Gupta

MD Pharmacology, MBBS

Last updated on: 27 Sep 2022 | 06:23 PM (IST)

Also known as Memory Loss and Forgetfulness

Overview

Dementia is a progressive, chronic brain condition that leads to loss of memory, ability to think, and behavioral disturbances. In severe cases, it can also impact the ability to perform simple day-to-day activities.

Worldwide, around 50 million people have dementia, and this number is expected to hit 152 million by 2050. Although there are many types of dementia, Alzheimer's disease associated dementia is the most common and accounts for 60-70% of all cases.

There are numerous factors that can be behind dementia. These include but are not limited to poor blood supply, abnormal protein accumulation and degenerative changes in the brain. The condition may start with something as simple as not being able to remember important dates or events and may increase in severity where a person may forget to wear clothes or eat food on time.

Being diagnosed with dementia can be a life-altering and challenging situation for the patient and his/her caregivers. Dementia is a progressive condition and can worsen with time. The treatments currently available are known to slow the progression of the disease, but cannot entirely stop it.

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Overview

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Causes

Risk factors

Diagnosis

Celebs affected

Treatment

Prevention

Specialist to visit

Alternatives therapies

Living with

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FAQs

References