Dementia is a major health concern, particularly due to the increasing number of elderly people. Although often considered a normal part of aging, dementia is actually a syndrome caused by various diseases affecting the brain. This disease can affect memory, thinking, orientation, comprehension, learning ability, language, and judgment. Dementia not only causes impairment for the individual affected but also has a significant impact on families and the healthcare system.
Dementia: Not Just a Memory Problem
Dementia is not the name of a single disease, but rather a general term describing a range of symptoms related to cognitive decline. Dementia occurs when brain cells are damaged and lose their ability to communicate with each other. This affects behavior, social skills, and other brain functions.
Types of dementia include:
- Alzheimer's disease (the most common)
- Vascular dementia
- Lewy body dementia
- Frontotemporal dementia
- Mixed dementia (a combination of several types of dementia)
Is it true that dementia can be dangerous?
The answer is yes ! Dementia is a serious condition that impacts the sufferer's daily life. The main dangers of dementia lie in the decreased ability to carry out daily activities, the loss of self-care skills, and the risk to safety due to disorientation or confusion.
Some reasons why dementia is dangerous:
- Memory Loss : A person with dementia may forget important things like taking medication, the names of loved ones, or their own home address.
- Disorientation and Confusion : Many people with dementia become lost even in familiar surroundings.
- Behavioral Changes : Sufferers may experience extreme mood swings, depression, aggressiveness, or anxiety.
- Communication Difficulties : Dementia makes it difficult for a person to express thoughts and understand language, leading to social isolation.
- Total Dependence : In advanced stages, sufferers often require full assistance in all daily activities.
What Triggers Dementia?
Dementia is caused by damage to brain cells. The causes can vary, depending on the type of dementia. Here are some of the main causes:
- Alzheimer's disease : caused by the buildup of plaque and abnormal proteins in the brain.
- Vascular dementia : caused by impaired blood flow to the brain.
- Traumatic brain injury : such as from a hard blow or accident.
- Infections and autoimmune diseases : such as HIV or multiple sclerosis.
- Brain tumors and other neurological conditions.
Beware of Common Symptoms of Dementia
Dementia symptoms develop gradually and can vary from person to person. Initially, symptoms may be subtle, but gradually worsen. Common symptoms include:
- Short-term memory loss
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Disorientation of time and place
- Difficulty following conversations
- Changes in behavior and mood
- Difficulty managing daily activities
What are the Stages of Dementia?
- Mild Stage : Forgetting small things, difficulty following directions or conversations, feeling confused about time.
- Moderate Stage : Needs help dressing or eating, forgets family members' names, gets lost easily, personality changes begin to become apparent.
- Advanced Stage : Unable to recognize family, unable to communicate, difficulty swallowing, completely dependent on others.
Who is at risk for dementia?
There are several risk factors that increase a person's likelihood of developing dementia, namely:
- Age (elderly people over 65 years are at greater risk)
- Family history
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Obesity
- Lack of physical and mental activity
- Smoke
- Depression
It's Preventable! Here's How to Reduce the Risk of Dementia
While not all risk factors can be avoided, we can reduce our chances of developing dementia in various ways. Here are some preventative measures you can take:
1. Healthy Lifestyle
- Consume nutritious foods, rich in antioxidants and low in saturated fat (e.g., the Mediterranean diet).
- Avoid excessive alcohol consumption and stop smoking.
- Maintain ideal body weight and avoid obesity.
2. Be Physically Active
- Engage in regular exercise such as brisk walking, swimming, yoga, or cycling. Exercise improves blood circulation to the brain and strengthens cognitive function.
3. Train the Brain
- Keep learning new things like languages, music, or new skills.
- Play puzzles, chess, sudoku, or other strategy games.
- Reading books and having active discussions also helps keep the brain working.
4. Socialization
- Stay connected with family, friends, and community. Social interaction fosters communication and empathy, which are good for mental health.
5. Chronic Disease Management
- Control blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol with a healthy lifestyle or medication if necessary.
- Regular health checks, especially for the elderly.
6. Get enough quality sleep
- Lack of sleep or disturbed sleep can accelerate the decline of brain function.
- Try to get 7-9 hours of good quality sleep per night.
7. Manage Stress and Mental Health
- Practice relaxation techniques such as meditation, mindfulness, or other enjoyable activities.
- Don't hesitate to consult a professional if you feel depressed or anxious for a long time.
Early Detection of Dementia: Why Is It So Important?
The earlier dementia symptoms are recognized, the greater the chance of slowing its progression. Early screening also gives families and individuals time to plan for necessary care, support, and interventions.
Family and Community Support is Much Needed
Families play a crucial role in the care of people with dementia. Emotional and physical support from those closest to them can significantly ease the burden. Meanwhile, the community needs to be aware of and empathetic toward those with dementia.
Steps that families can take:
- Provides a regular daily routine.
- Helping sufferers feel safe and comfortable.
- Speak in simple language and be patient.
- Involve the sufferer in light activities.
Dementia is not the end of everything, but the beginning of paying more attention to our brain health.
The article was written by Dr. Poek Denny Purbawijaya, Sp.N (Neurology Specialist Doctor at EMC Cikarang Hospital).