Dementia symptoms include impaired memory and judgment, disorientation, personality changes, and a decline in mental function. The condition is caused by degeneration of the brain, often due to age, infections, or other diseases. As the disease progresses, patients may experience a loss of judgment and neglect of personal safety and hygiene.
There are many symptoms that a person with dementia will experience. Many symptoms of dementia are evident early on. The most common symptoms are impaired memory and judgment, with one of the earliest symptoms of dementia being a decline in memory.
Dementia is caused by degeneration of the brain, especially the cerebral cortex. The cerebral cortex is the part of the brain responsible for personality, thoughts and memories. When this part of the brain begins to deteriorate, it can lead to cognitive impairment and symptoms of dementia. There are a few reasons why degeneration occurs in the brain. Infections are one reason, but metabolic causes, brain tumors, and other diseases of a progressive nature can also affect the brain.
When memory loss sets in, a person with dementia will begin to experience forgetfulness. They may forget their age, their neighbors’ names, or the next task at hand. Losing things is also a sign that a person may be developing dementia. Memory loss will also affect speech and you may experience problems with speech. People with dementia often have trouble finding substitutes for words or finding the right words to say.
Another sign of dementia praecox is disorientation with place and time. Commonly arriving at your destination without being completely sure how you got there is early evidence of dementia. In addition to this uncertainty, a person with dementia may forget where they live or what day of the week they live.
According to Alzheimer’s Disease International, the most obvious symptom of dementia is a change in personality. Dementia causes people to become less like themselves and have mood swings. The individual might experience intense amounts of excitability or even depression.
The main risk factor for dementia is age, with people over the age of 65 at the highest risk. Symptoms of dementia often begin between the ages of 65 and 74, and the risk of dementia doubles after age 74. The older the person is, the more likely they are to have symptoms of dementia.
Eventually, once dementia has set in, a person will experience significant mental decline and personality changes will become more radical. Eventually, a complete loss of judgment will occur in the patient. Neglect of personal safety, nutrition and hygiene will soon follow. Dementia can be a terrifying experience for those who suffer from the disease and for family members who have to care for a loved one who is suffering.
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