There are many mental disorders. One of these is dementia. What is it, what are its types, we will tell in the article.
Dementia
In Latin, the word dementia means madness. The term itself denotes dementia acquired either due to 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 restoring (remembering) previously acquired knowledge and skills, as well as a deterioration in the process of acquiring new data - all this causes dementia. We already know what it is, but we need to learn 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 disintegration of mental functions due to external or internal damage to the brain. The people called this disease "senile insanity".
WHO data
Today, there are more than 35.6 million people in the world with this diagnosis. According to WHO forecasts, in 2030 their number will increase to 65.7 million, and in 2050 - up to 115.4 million.
Diagnosis
Dementia is not clearly an age-related disease. Its symptoms can manifest themselves at completely different times - both in infancy, and in 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 more types, thereby more clearly denoting the term "dementia". What is it, we will tell you below.
Syndromic classification
Includes two types of dementia - lacunar and total. The first denotes minor mental changes, in connection with which the level of self-control decreases and memory may deteriorate. An example of this is Alzheimer's disease. The second has a rough character with more serious changes, not only emotionally, but also on a personal level. An example of the second type is Pick's disease.
Main classification
Types of disease are divided according to the reasons for which they were received. This kind of classification includes three types: vascular dementia (an example of a disease is cerebral atherosclerosis), atrophic (an example is Alzheimer's and Pick's disease) and mixed dementias.
Vascular dementia
It is caused by 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. Lethargy, irritability and lethargy are common signs. If the disease progresses, there is a loss of memory, an attack of delirium accompanied by hallucinations.
Atrophic dementia
This species is typical only for people of the older generation, that is, for those who are 60-65 years old. Symptoms are memory loss, thinking problems, 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;
Mixed dementia
This species causes simultaneous vascular lesions with atrophic changes, while retaining the symptoms of both types.
Result
Now you know a lot about the term "dementia" - what it is, what are its types and symptoms. However, you do not need to look for its signs in yourself, if you have any doubts, you should consult a doctor.
