Understanding different types of dementia

Adjusting to old age can be a difficult process, one that is worsened by the onset of a terminal illness. And while some sicknesses suffered by the elderly can be cured, dementia unfortunately does not fall into this category. Largely affecting people over the age of 65, there are 700,000 people diagnosed with dementia in the UK. However, some people remain confused about what dementia is and how it manifests itself in sufferers. In fact, dementia is not one disease in itself but a catch-all term for a number of different conditions.



Perhaps the most well-known type of dementia is Alzheimer's disease. This condition causes the death of nerve cells in the brain, which leads to a change in brain activity and hampers the transmission of messages. Symptoms include confusion, such as forgetting the names of close family members and friends, sudden mood swings and loss of confidence when carrying out day-to-day activities. Moreover, since Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, these symptoms are likely to grow more severe over time as the brain continues to change in structure.

Alzheimer's is the most common type of dementia in the UK and although it is most common in people over the age of 65, there are over 16,000 people under 65 years old that suffer from the disease throughout the country. While the actual causes of the disease are not known, influencing factors are said to include genetic inheritance, diet and overall general health. And although there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease to date, studies have shown that certain medicines may help to keep symptoms in check.



It's important to remember, however, that Alzheimer's is not the only type of dementia. Another common condition is vascular dementia, which blocks blood flow to the brain and thereby causes nerve cells to die. Vascular dementia may be linked to an existing condition like high blood pressure. It's also possible to develop mixed dementia - for example, a combination of Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.



Another type is dementia with Lewy bodies. This occurs when abnormal growths (Lewy bodies) caused by the build-up of a particular protein inside the brain. On the other hand, frontotemporal dementia, in which the two parts of the brain begin to shrink, is a category of dementia that is more common in people under 65. Moreover, dementia can also occur in the final stages of other terminal illnesses, including AIDS and Parkinson's disease.



Given the multitude of types of dementia and its degenerative properties, visiting your doctor and getting tested as soon as symptoms develop is of paramount importance. The process may involve a memory test and an investigation into your medical history, as well as routine blood and urine tests.