Memory Disorders
Dementia
Dementia is a word that is used to identify a variety of symptoms and a few disorders and diseases are a form of dementia. The disorder is progressive, which means that it worsens over time. The general symptoms of dementia include bad memory, communication and language issues, inability to focus, restricted reasoning and visual perception. This happens because there is damage to the brain cells. The damage stops communication and therefore many brain functions are not available and stop working.
Dementia can be diagnosed through a clinical exam and a test of several cognitive functions. The person’s medical history will be assessed and in some cases the tests will be followed by an MRI or a CT scan. Determining if a person has dementia is much more simple than diagnosing the exact type of dementia as a lot of the symptoms overlap.
Dementia is a word that is used to identify a variety of symptoms and a few disorders and diseases are a form of dementia. The disorder is progressive, which means that it worsens over time. The general symptoms of dementia include bad memory, communication and language issues, inability to focus, restricted reasoning and visual perception. This happens because there is damage to the brain cells. The damage stops communication and therefore many brain functions are not available and stop working.
Dementia can be diagnosed through a clinical exam and a test of several cognitive functions. The person’s medical history will be assessed and in some cases the tests will be followed by an MRI or a CT scan. Determining if a person has dementia is much more simple than diagnosing the exact type of dementia as a lot of the symptoms overlap.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s is one the most well known memory disorders. It is a progressive disease. This means that as time passes the disease becomes worse and there is no known cure. Alzheimer’s disease is a type of Dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. 60-80% of all Dementia patients have Alzheimer’s. As the disease progresses the symptoms become more serious. The disease is broken into 4 stages.
Early Signs
The first stage is the early signs of Alzheimer’s. Here the person experiences memory problems in daily life that may or may not be worse than other people their age. People with Mild Cognitive Impairment, people who have more memory problems than other people their age, are at at a higher risk of developing the disease. At this stage it is not definite if the person is developing Alzheimer’s as the symptoms are very mild.
Mid Alzheimer’s
At this stage the person experiences more memory loss than before and have trouble with performing everyday activities. They may get lost in environments that they know well and they may start repeating questions or phrases or even full stories, as they don’t remember they have told them before. This is the stage where many people get diagnosed, as the symptoms become clear. Family members are often the ones who notice the problem while the person with the disease often does not.
Moderate Alzheimer’s
At this point there is a lot of damage to the brain. Parts that control language, reasoning, senses and thought are affected. As the disease progresses memory loss increases and as a result the person becomes more confused. They often have trouble recognizing family members and people they know well. Also people with Moderate Alzheimer’s can’t learn new things, as they will not be able to remember them.
Severe Alzheimer’s
This is the last stage of the disease. The person is completely dependant on others as they can’t complete daily tasks on their own. They can’t communicate anymore and the brain shrinks down significantly. The person spends a lot of time in bed as the body shuts down and can’t function properly anymore.
Amnesia
Amnesia is a disorder that causes the loss of memory. It is a very rare condition that can be caused by brain injury, shock or any other disease that can damage the brain. Anterograde and retrograde amnesia are two types of the disorder. Anterograde amnesia is when the person can’t learn new information. This is usually due to the damage caused in the brain. Retrograde amnesia on the other hand is when people can’t recall past experiences and information that they were very familiar with before the onset of amnesia.
The Symptoms of amnesia include: the creation of false memories. A person with Amnesia will often create new memories to replace the ones that were lost. These memories are often completely invented and the person may even change their identity. Another symptom is uncoordinated movements, confusion and disorientation. People with amnesia will have problems with their short-term memory. The person can have trouble recognizing things, like familiar places or people.
The Diagnosis of amnesia includes a physical exam where the person’s nervous system is checked by testing reflexes, sensory functions, balance and other aspects. They then proceed to test the short-term and long-term memory. The treatment includes psychotherapy, however in most cases amnesia doesn’t require treatment as it can go away by itself.
Alzheimer’s is one the most well known memory disorders. It is a progressive disease. This means that as time passes the disease becomes worse and there is no known cure. Alzheimer’s disease is a type of Dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. 60-80% of all Dementia patients have Alzheimer’s. As the disease progresses the symptoms become more serious. The disease is broken into 4 stages.
Early Signs
The first stage is the early signs of Alzheimer’s. Here the person experiences memory problems in daily life that may or may not be worse than other people their age. People with Mild Cognitive Impairment, people who have more memory problems than other people their age, are at at a higher risk of developing the disease. At this stage it is not definite if the person is developing Alzheimer’s as the symptoms are very mild.
Mid Alzheimer’s
At this stage the person experiences more memory loss than before and have trouble with performing everyday activities. They may get lost in environments that they know well and they may start repeating questions or phrases or even full stories, as they don’t remember they have told them before. This is the stage where many people get diagnosed, as the symptoms become clear. Family members are often the ones who notice the problem while the person with the disease often does not.
Moderate Alzheimer’s
At this point there is a lot of damage to the brain. Parts that control language, reasoning, senses and thought are affected. As the disease progresses memory loss increases and as a result the person becomes more confused. They often have trouble recognizing family members and people they know well. Also people with Moderate Alzheimer’s can’t learn new things, as they will not be able to remember them.
Severe Alzheimer’s
This is the last stage of the disease. The person is completely dependant on others as they can’t complete daily tasks on their own. They can’t communicate anymore and the brain shrinks down significantly. The person spends a lot of time in bed as the body shuts down and can’t function properly anymore.
Amnesia
Amnesia is a disorder that causes the loss of memory. It is a very rare condition that can be caused by brain injury, shock or any other disease that can damage the brain. Anterograde and retrograde amnesia are two types of the disorder. Anterograde amnesia is when the person can’t learn new information. This is usually due to the damage caused in the brain. Retrograde amnesia on the other hand is when people can’t recall past experiences and information that they were very familiar with before the onset of amnesia.
The Symptoms of amnesia include: the creation of false memories. A person with Amnesia will often create new memories to replace the ones that were lost. These memories are often completely invented and the person may even change their identity. Another symptom is uncoordinated movements, confusion and disorientation. People with amnesia will have problems with their short-term memory. The person can have trouble recognizing things, like familiar places or people.
The Diagnosis of amnesia includes a physical exam where the person’s nervous system is checked by testing reflexes, sensory functions, balance and other aspects. They then proceed to test the short-term and long-term memory. The treatment includes psychotherapy, however in most cases amnesia doesn’t require treatment as it can go away by itself.
Images:
1. Thakur, Arun. Constant Confusion. Digital image. TopYaps. N.p., 29 Jan. 2013. Web. 14 Jan. 2015. <http://topyaps.com/top-10-symptoms-of-alzheimers-disease>.
2. Digital image. USATODAY.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Jan. 2015. <http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-10-02-q-and-a-doraiswamy_N.htm>.
3.Dementia Brain - Viewing Gallery. Digital image. Dementia Brain - Viewing Gallery. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Jan. 2015. <http://galleryhip.com/dementia-brain.html>.
1. Thakur, Arun. Constant Confusion. Digital image. TopYaps. N.p., 29 Jan. 2013. Web. 14 Jan. 2015. <http://topyaps.com/top-10-symptoms-of-alzheimers-disease>.
2. Digital image. USATODAY.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Jan. 2015. <http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-10-02-q-and-a-doraiswamy_N.htm>.
3.Dementia Brain - Viewing Gallery. Digital image. Dementia Brain - Viewing Gallery. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Jan. 2015. <http://galleryhip.com/dementia-brain.html>.