Common SymptomsRecent memory loss job skillsIt is normal to forget assignments, colleagues’ names or a business associate’s telephone number occasionally, but remember them later. Those with a dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, may forget things more often and not remember them later. Difficulty performing familiar tasksBusy people can be so distracted from time to time that they may leave the carrots on the stove and only remember to serve them at the end of the meal. People with dementia might prepare a meal and not only forget to serve it, but also forget they made it. Problems with languageEveryone has trouble finding the right word sometimes but a person with dementia may forget simple words, making his or her sentence incomprehensible. Disorientation of time and placeIt is normal to forget the day of the week or your destination for a moment. But people with dementia can become lost on their own street, not knowing where they are, how they got there or how to get back home. Misplacing thingsAnyone can temporarily misplace a wallet or keys. A person with dementia may put things in inappropriate places, i.e. an iron in the freezer or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl. Changes in personalityPeople’s personalities ordinarily change somewhat with age. But a person with dementia can become suspicious or fearful, hallucinate or be apathetic and uncommunicative. Poor or decreased judgementPeople with dementia may dress inappropriately, for example, by wearing clothes round the wrong way or winter weather clothes on a hot day. What is dementia?Dementia involves a gradual decline in intellectual functions, such as thinking, remembering and reasoning, of sufficient severity to interfere with a person’s daily functioning. It is not a disease in itself, but rather a group of symptoms, which may accompany certain diseases or physical conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Huntington’s disease, frontal temporal disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s disease. Other conditions where symptoms may cause or mimic dementia include depression, brain tumours, nutritional deficiencies, head injuries, hydrocephalus, infections, drug reactions and thyroid problems. The fact is, however, that 85% of adults over the age of 65 years do not have any form of dementia. It is imperative that all persons experiencing memory deficits or confusion undergo a thorough diagnostic check up. This requires examination by a physician experienced in the diagnosis of dementing disorders and detailed laboratory testing. The examinations should include a re-evaluation of all medications. This process will help the patient obtain treatment for reversible conditions, aid the patient and family in planning future care and provide important medical information for future generations. The following information details some of the causes of the symptoms of dementia. Alzheimer’s diseaseAlzheimer’s disease is the most common of the dementing disorders. It is a progressive, degenerative disease that attacks the brain. Symptoms include a gradual memory loss, decline in ability to perform routine tasks, disorientation in time and space, impairment of judgment, personality change, difficulty in learning and loss of language and communication skills. For further information contact:
Alzheimer’s Australia SA
Tel. 8372 2100, 1800 100 500
www.alzheimers.org.au Vascular dementiaVascular dementia is a deterioration of mental capabilities caused by multiple strokes (infarcts) in the brain. The onset of vascular dementia may be relatively sudden as many tiny strokes can occur before symptoms appear. These strokes may damage areas of the brain responsible for a specific function as well as produce generalised symptoms of dementia. As a result vascular dementia may appear similar to Alzheimer’s disease. Alcohol-related dementia: Korsakoff’s diseaseExcessive drinking over a period of years can lead to problems which affect memory, learning and other functions. Alcohol has a direct toxic effect on brain cells, particularly in the front part of the brain, resulting in poor judgement, difficulty making decisions and lack of insight. Nutritional problems, which accompany chronic heavy use of alcohol, are thought to be responsible for some of these difficulties. Key parts of the brain may suffer damage through vitamin deficiencies, leaving the person with little ability to learn new things, while other abilities may be left intact. There may be personality changes in addition to intellectual impairment. At an early stage, problems may be reversed if the person abstains from alcohol, diet is improved and vitamins replaced. Parkinson’s diseaseParkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive disorder of the central nervous system. Individuals with PD lack the substance dopamine, which is important for the central nervous system’s control of muscle activity. PD is often characterised by tremors, stiffness in limbs and joints, speech impediments and difficulty in initiating physical movement. Late in the course of the disease, some patients develop dementia. Conversely, some Alzheimer’s patients develop symptoms of PD. Medications such as levodopa which converts itself into dopamine once inside the brain and depreynl which prevents degeneration of dopamine-containing neurons, are used to improve reduced motor symptoms in PD patients but do not correct the mental changes that occur. For more information contact:
Parkinson’s SA
Tel. 8357 8909 Fax 8357 8876 DepressionDepression is a psychiatric disorder marked by sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and concentration, feelings of hopelessness and sometimes suicidal tendencies. Many severely depressed patients will have some mental deficits, which may include poor concentration and attention. When dementia and depression are present together, intellectual deterioration may be exaggerated. Depression, whether present alone or in combination with dementia, can be reversed with proper treatment. Useful contacts and resourcesDementia Helpline 1800 100 500
Alzheimer’s Australia SA
Tel. 8372 2100
Web: www.alzheimers.org.au Parkinson's SA Inc.
Tel. 8357 8909
Web www.parkinsonssa.org.au Mental Illness Fellowship of SA incorporating Mood Disorders Association SA, tel. 8378 4100 provides education and support services for adults and their families affected by mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder.
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