What is dementia?

Signs of dementia are memory impairment, mood swings, paranoia, difficulty in living, and dependence on others.

Dr. Than Ha Ngoc The, Head of the Department of Geriatrics - Palliative Care, Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine Hospital said that dementia is a group of cognitive disorders characterized by memory loss, difficulty in expression of language, activity, identification of objects . The disease greatly affects the quality of life of the patient, creating a burden for the family and society.

The symptoms of dementia depend on the stage of the disease

Causes of dementia include: genetics, effects of alzheimer's disease, brain stroke, parkinsonism, abuse of sedatives, antidepressants . in the long run. The disease usually appears in the elderly but but not a normal aging process but a pathology that needs to be diagnosed and treated early.

Symptoms depend on the stage of the disease. In the mild stage, the patient may have short-term memory impairment, mood swings, ease of anger and agitation. In the middle stage, patients have difficulty in bathing, dressing, personal hygiene; loss of ability to acquire new information, disorientation of space and time. Patients may experience haunted paranoia, unjustly attacking other people. In the advanced stage, the patient loses the ability to live fully, completely dependent on the caregiver. The ill person does not recognize family members, unable to walk. Complications of the terminal stage are exhaustion, malnutrition, pneumonia and pressure ulcers.

"Signs of disease are often overlooked, if detected, they have entered the stage of moderate or severe. Identifying and preventing the causes of the disease is very important, helping to reduce bad effects , " he said. said the monk.

In addition to using drugs to treat cognitive symptoms, mental behavior disorders, proper care of patients, and cognitive function training play an important role in restoring and improving the quality of life. for the sick. In addition, it is necessary to pay attention to the treatment of combination diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, parkinson . when treating people with dementia.

Dr. Can recommends that dementia can be improved if detected early and intervened properly, and need to improve the understanding and prevention of disease in the community. For the elderly, should eat a balanced, well-balanced diet, avoiding foods high in fat, sugar and salt. Strengthen sports practice, play intellectual games, participate in social activities, live happily and optimistically. In addition, patients should limit alcohol, beer, cigarettes and well treat combination diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, parkinsonism, stroke prevention .