Senile dementia: what it is, symptoms and treatment

Dementia is characterized by a progressive loss of intellectual functions, such as changes in memory, reasoning and language. However, the term “senile dementia” does not refer to any type of diagnosis, as although dementia may occur more frequently after the age of 65, it is not exclusive to that age and can also occur in younger people.

Furthermore, the decrease in some cognitive functions may be part of natural aging, although this is not necessarily a rule, so dementia should not be considered a disease or disorder specific to old age.

Despite this, it is important that a geriatrician or general practitioner is consulted if symptoms of dementia are noticed, as this will allow a medical assessment to be carried out and, if necessary, appropriate treatment to be initiated according to the type of dementia and related disease.

Main symptoms

There are several symptoms of dementia, and they depend on the cause of the disease and can even take years to manifest. The most common symptoms are the following:

• Loss of memory, confusion and disorientation;
• Difficulty understanding written or verbal communication;
• Difficulty making decisions;
• Difficulty recognizing family and friends;
• Forgetting common facts, such as what day it is;
• Change in personality and critical sense;
• Bustle and walks at night;
• Lack of appetite, weight loss, urinary and fecal incontinence;
• Loss of orientation in familiar environments;
• Repetitive movements and speech;
• Difficulty driving, shopping alone, cooking and taking care of yourself;

All of these symptoms lead the person to progressive dependence and can cause depression, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, suspiciousness, delusions and hallucinations in some people.

Possible causes

The causes that can lead to the development of dementia are:

1. Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a disease in which there is progressive degeneration of brain neurons and impairment of cognitive functions, such as memory, attention, language, orientation, perception, reasoning and thinking. Know the warning signs for this disease.

The causes are not yet known, but studies suggest a hereditary factor, especially when it starts in middle age.

2. Dementia with vascular origin

It has a faster onset and is associated with multiple cerebral infarctions, generally accompanied by high blood pressure and strokes. Brain impairment is most evident in complex attention, for example processing speed, and in frontal executive functions, such as movement and emotional response. Find out what causes stroke and how to avoid it.

3. Dementia caused by medications

There are medications that, taken regularly, can increase the risk of developing dementia. Some examples of medications that can increase this risk if taken too frequently are antihistamines, sleeping pills, antidepressants, medicines used for heart or gastrointestinal problems and muscle relaxants.

4. Other causes

There are other diseases that can lead to the development of dementia, such as dementia with Lewy bodies, Korsakoff Syndrome, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Pick’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and brain tumors.

Check out more details about dementia with Lewy bodies, which is one of the most common causes.

How is the diagnosis

Diagnosis of the disease is generally made with a blood count, kidney, liver and thyroid function tests, serum vitamin B12 and folic acid levels, serology for syphilis, fasting blood glucose, head computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.

The doctor must also carry out a complete clinical history, tests to assess memory and mental state, assessment of the degree of attention and concentration and problem-solving skills and level of communication.

The diagnosis of dementia is made by excluding other diseases that present similar symptoms.

Dementia treatment

Treatment for dementia depends on the type, as the therapeutic approach can vary, with the use of medications such as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, antidepressants, mood stabilizers or neuroleptics being indicated, as well as physiotherapy exercises, occupational therapy and family guidance. and caregivers, for example.

It is important that the person with dementia has constant medical monitoring and support at home, as this way it is possible to guarantee a better quality of life and the treatment can be carried out more easily.