Few conditions strike fear into the heart like dementia. Few have such a terrifying set of symptoms, stealing not just your physical and mental health but your whole sense of identity. Increasingly common and with no known cure, understanding dementia better is a key aim of medical science.
Many people may think of dementia as synonymous with Alzheimer’s disease, its most well-known form, but it actually comes in dozens of subtypes. They all have a similar set of symptoms, often including memory loss, confused thoughts, language difficulties and emotional problems.
Alzheimer’s may be the most common type of dementia, but our understanding of it is still limited. Its causes are murky, though there seems to be a genetic component and the wide selection of risk factors range from head injuries to high blood pressure. What’s certain is that Alzheimer’s causes a slow degeneration in the brain, interfering with memory, language and mood. It can also cause disorientation and loss of spatial awareness. Once it starts, it can’t be stopped.
Other types of dementia can be linked to other neurodegenerative conditions, such as Parkinson’s and Huntington’s. Parkinson’s is one of two types of Lewy bodies dementia, named for a type of abnormal protein found in the brain. Vascular dementia is most often caused by strokes. HIV infections can lead to dementia even in younger people. Some dementia is alcohol-related. There is also mixed dementia, when multiple types are present at once.
A lot of the stereotypes about dementia, such as it being a disease of the elderly or memory loss being the main symptom, are actually associated with the common subtypes, like Alzheimer’s. Dementia with Lewy bodies affects cognition and attention more than memory, and it may cause hallucinations. Frontotemporal dementia generally involves more changes to the personality (such as impulsivity, inappropriate sexual behavior or apathy), and speech problems like aphasia. Some forms of dementia impair motor skills.
Knowing about the more obscure symptoms of the rarer types of dementia is important if you want to receive an early diagnosis. Treatment may not be possible, but it can be comforting just to have an explanation for symptoms, and it allows for better life planning. Dementia can have a major impact not just on the sufferer, but on the friends and family who often end up as carers dealing with someone who has almost become a stranger.
