by Alan Bonnici

Created on: April 24, 2008   Last Updated: April 29, 2008

Dementia is an illness in that affects the brain. It is most common in the elderly population and in its initial stages the sufferer will experience short-term memory loss. It is mistakenly associated with symptoms with old age. As time progresses the patient's language, problem solving, short and long term memory, behavior as well as the cognitive abilities deteriorate. In its later stages the sufferer starts losing major bodily functions. A dementia patient may live up to 20 years with this condition.

The major types of dementia:
Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia. It is a physical disease of the brain that results in brain cells dying.
Lewy Body dementia accounts of about 15 percent of dementia cases. It is a progressive disease cause by the development of abnormal protein deposits. Patients suffering from this type of dementia show signs of both Alzheimer and Parkinson's disease.
Vascular dementia seems to be the result of damage to the blood supply system to the brain. This results in the irreversible death of brain cells.
Frontal-temporal lobar dementia is a rare form of dementia that has been linked to abnormalities in the patient's genes. It may be hereditary.

Research into dementia is being directed primarily on four fronts: early diagnoses of the illness; reversal of its effects; ways to slow down its progression and prevention. Currently there are no known cures to this disease. Although there is no conclusive evidence yet, it purports that a drug-free well balanced diet including fruit and vegetables, fish and red wine together with a regular dose of both mental and physical activities helps to delay or prevent to onset of this condition.

Normally, the first people to notice a dementia sufferer are family. An early diagnosis is always the best bet. Having said that, those close to the patient must understand that as time goes by, the person they love will deteriorate. Forgetfulness turns to anger which may turn to violence and unheard of behavior. The mild mannered person who was so loving and caring would suddenly accuse a spouse or a sibling of some outrageous action such as unfaithfulness or theft. A father would fondle his daughter or a mother would walk stark naked in the street at three in the morning. Failure to understand that this behavior is the direct result of the illness is the biggest mistake the family can make. The day may come when the patient will look upon a spouse of 50 years as if the person was a complete and utter stranger. It is painfully shattering to accept this reality, but, as the saying goes, proof of the pudding is in the eating-now is the time to prove your love.

Being mentally and physically strong to be able to take care of the person is your duty. The day may dawn when you have to accept that you are no longer able to keep the person at home and must seek professional care. It is the best thing you can do for that person.

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