What is dementia?
Dementia faster then normal degenerations of the brain cells. When someone has dementia, brain cells are damaged and die faster than they would normally. Losing brain cells means that the brain functions are going down and slower performance, and gradually people lose the ability to do things. Know as the degenerations of Qi in the brain system.
Often, memory is affected first and people forget important facts such as the name of their close ones. Later, as the illness progresses, people get confused about things like where they are, what day it is or who other people are.
People with dementia may become listless and lose interest in activities that have previously been important to them. In the later stages, people lose the ability to look after themselves and may need help with washing, dressing and eating. Conversation becomes repetitive and the same question may be repeated over and over.
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia, and is caused by a loss of brain cells. It is probably related to an imbalance in the chemicals in the brain.
Over time, more brain cells fail and the patient slowly and steadily declines mentally.
Vascular dementias, including multi-infarct dementia
This is the next most common type of dementia, and is caused by poor circulation of blood to the brain. In multi-infarct dementia, lots of tiny strokes (or infarcts) occur which cut off the blood supply to part of the brain.
The progression of vascular dementia can happen in recognised steps. With this type of dementia, good control of blood pressure, good diabetic control and avoiding cigarettes may help to slow the progress.
Lewy body dementia
People with Lewy body dementia may be more prone to visual hallucinations ('seeing things'), unsteadiness, falls and spells of abnormal behaviour.
Patients with Lewy body dementia may also be very sensitive to the effects of some drugs used to control behaviour.
Alcohol-related dementia
Brain damage can be caused by drinking too much alcohol. It is important that people with this type of dementia give up drinking alcohol completely to stop the disease progressing.
