As of: March 9, 2024, 9:52 a.m
By: Natalie Hull-Deichsel
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Dementia progresses at different rates for each person affected.
There are different causes and symptoms, depending on which form is present.
Dementia is initially an umbrella term for various types and manifestations of a chronic disorder in the brain.
There are around 50 different forms, of which Alzheimer's dementia is one of the most common.
Signs of the disease can become apparent years before diagnosis.
Around 1.8 million people in Germany are affected by the previously incurable brain disease, according to the
German Alzheimer Society.
V
., which leads to a decline and loss of cognitive abilities.
Dementia is a disease that can affect anyone and therefore causes fear in many people.
As you get older, the risk of developing dementia increases.
What are the causes and risk factors for dementia?
The course of dementia is difficult to predict.
Those affected find it increasingly difficult to remember or reconstruct what they have recently done.
© fizkes/Imago
The disease can have various causes and lead to primary dementia as an irreversible form, secondary dementia as a reversible form or a mixed form of, for example, vascular dementia and Alzheimer's.
Primary dementia
affects around 85 to 90 percent of all cases: the brain is irretrievably diseased.
Alzheimer's dementia and vascular dementia are among the most common irreversible forms of dementia.
Frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson's dementia and Lewy body dementia occur less frequently.
Secondary dementia
occurs in ten to 15 percent of those affected: The secondary form is an acute disease in the brain caused by infections, metabolic diseases of the thyroid, injuries, brain tumors or a deficiency of vitamin B12.
In addition to age and genetic predisposition, living conditions and various risk factors also have a significant influence on the occurrence of dementia and Alzheimer's.
Various signs should be noted by both sufferers and family members that may indicate the presence of dementia.
This also includes symptoms that are not initially necessarily associated with dementia, such as behavioral changes and aggressive reactions.
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Which risk factors can contribute to the development of dementia:
Overweight in middle age
Lack of physical exercise
Regular and high levels of alcohol consumption
Smoke
People with diabetes
High blood pressure that goes untreated
depression
Social isolation and loneliness
Untreated hearing loss
Recognize and act early on dementia in the family
There are various signs and indications of possible dementia that both those affected and their relatives should pay attention to.
As a rule, the doctor uses certain tests for diagnosis, such as the mini-mental status test and the simple clock test or the supermarket task - although those affected can carry out this form of testing at home in advance under the guidance of their relatives.
What are typical symptoms of dementia?
Depending on what form of dementia it is and how quickly the disease progresses, early signs and specific symptoms appear:
Losses in short-term memory, especially for names and dates
Difficulty with usual tasks, both at work and in private life
Challenges in planning and solving problems
Difficulty remembering recent actions
Problems writing or speaking
Forgetting words, especially in the middle of a conversation
Repetition of topics in conversations or asking about points that have already been discussed multiple times
Misplacing items and then forgetting where to store them
Difficulties in correctly classifying place and time
Increasing uncertainty in decisions
Withdrawal from social contacts and activities
Abrupt emotional swings, from happy to suddenly sad and vice versa
Behavioral changes, including aggressive behavior
Cognitive difficulties in long-term memory
Susceptibility to falls, with higher risk if Alzheimer's disease is diagnosed later
Problems with arithmetic, counting and finances, such as late payment of bills years before diagnosis
What is the life expectancy with dementia?
All neurodegenerative dementia diseases such as Alzheimer's dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson's dementia and Lewy body dementia are progressive diseases that progress over several years, as stated in the guidelines of the
Association of Scientific Medical Societies.
V. (AWMF)
.
The duration of the course of the disease is actually very variable, depending on the type of dementia and the individual patient.
On average, frontotemporal dementia begins much earlier than other dementias.
Since there is currently no causal therapy available for any of the primary or degenerative dementias to halt the progression or cure the disease, life expectancy is more or less reduced for all patients.
In many cases, dementia results in extensive need for care, the
AWMF
continues.
Vascular dementia is actually the form of the disease that can even stagnate at times and show phases of slight improvement.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Our editorial team is not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions.