There are many mental disorders. One such is dementia. What is it, what are its types, we will tell in the article.
Dementia
Translated from Latin, the word dementia means insanity. The term itself denotes dementia, acquired either by virtue of age, or in connection with some external and internal factors. A sharp or gradual decrease in the efficiency of the brain, a deterioration in cognitive activity, which in turn affects the process of restoration (recall) of previously acquired knowledge and skills, as well as a deterioration in the process of acquiring new data - all this causes dementia. What is this, we already know, but we need to learn how to distinguish it from other mental illnesses. For example, do not confuse dementia with oligophrenia (mental retardation). Oligophrenia is an underdevelopment of mental processes, and dementia is a process of the breakdown of mental functions in connection with external or internal brain damage. In people, this disease is called "senile senility."
WHO data
Today in the world there are more than 35.6 million people with this diagnosis. According to WHO forecasts, in 2030 their number will increase to 65.7 million, and in 2050 - to 115.4 million people.
Diagnosis
Dementia is not clearly an age-related disease. Its symptoms can manifest at completely different times - both in infancy and adolescence, in adulthood and in old age. It all depends on when the injuries in the area of the brain were received.
Types of Dementia
There are two types of classification of this disease: syndromic and basic. Each of them, in turn, is divided into several types, thereby more clearly denoting the term "dementia". What is it, we will tell you below.
Syndromal Classification
It includes two types of dementia - lacunar and total. The first indicates small mental changes, in connection with which the level of self-control decreases and memory may deteriorate. An example is Alzheimer's disease. The second is rude in nature with more serious changes not only emotionally, but also on a personal level. An example of the second type is Peak's disease.
Main classification
The types of disease are divided according to the reasons for which they were received. This type of classification includes three types: vascular dementia (an example of a disease is cerebral atherosclerosis), atrophic (an example is Alzheimer's and Peak disease) and mixed dementia.
Vascular dementia
Her cause are circulatory disorders of the brain. Symptoms depend on which part of the brain has been damaged. The early stages are characterized by signs of neurosis, as well as frequent emotional changes. Indistinct signs of lethargy, irritability and lethargy. If the disease progresses, memory loss, an attack of delirium accompanied by hallucinations are noted.
Atrophic dementia
This species is characteristic only for older people, that is, for those who are 60-65 years old. Symptoms include memory loss, problems with thinking, and frequent changes in the emotional background. Atrophic dementia has three stages:
- initial - it is characterized by problems with thinking, aphasia, agnosia, impaired coordination of movements and orientation in time and space;
- moderate - dull thinking, and vital needs are minimized, a person becomes unable to care for himself;
- severe - the ultimate loss of memory and the ability to distinguish between the world.
Mixed dementia
Data type is the cause of simultaneous vascular lesions with atrophic changes, while retaining the symptoms of both types.
Total
Now you know a lot about the term "dementia" - what is it, what are its types and symptoms. However, you do not need to look for her signs in yourself, if you have doubts, you should consult a doctor.