Diagnosis Of Dementia Is Very Scary

A diagnosis of dementia is very scary to those affect by the disorder, family members and caregivers. The most common type of dementia globally is Alzheimer disease. It usually starts after the 6th decade of life and is progressive. The number of people expected to develop dementia is going to double within the next 5 years. Besides Alzheimer dementia, there are many other causes of dementia. The major risk factor for dementia is advancing age.
Individuals who develop dementia lose their ability to think, remember and also develop aberrant behaviors that interfere with their daily living. At some point in time these individuals become a burden because they require full time care. Eventually many end up in nursing homes and have a very poor quality of life.
Regardless of the cause of dementia, the disorder has a significant impact on personal, financial and societal demands. Caring for a patient with dementia is difficult and lifelong. So far there is no cure for any dementia. The few drugs available only reduce the symptoms of dementia but often these medications have potent adverse effects. Because the condition currently affects millions of people and the demands on the healthcare system, researchers have been trying to develop methods to arrest the progression of dementia at an early stage.
Today researchers are still trying to understand how the disease starts and what triggers it. Even though dementia is common with advanced age, it is not a normal part of aging. Many elderly live into their 90s and beyond and have no signs of dementia.
In order to counter Alzheimer's disease, scientists are now exploring the use of stem cells to discover how nerve cells are affected in dementia. In addition, efforts are being made to study if stem cells can be reprogrammed. These stem cells are also being used to test the effects of drugs and other therapies.
The search for novel drugs to treat dementias is continually ongoing. There are some brain changes that occur in Alzheimer patients before the symptoms become obvious. Researchers are now trying to develop therapies that can target Alzheimer's disease much early in the course and hence prevent its progression.
Researchers are also assessing the effectiveness of supervised aerobic exercise programs to help boost general cognition in adults with dementia. There is some evidence that maintaining fitness can prevent memory loss from getting worse and improves daily functioning.
In the last decade, several genes have been identified that play a role in dementia. By sampling a human's genetic material, scientists may be able to predict how one develops dementia. In addition, other work is being conducted to manipulate these genes so that normal brain function would be restored.
Finally newer imaging technique are constantly being developed that can help understand the function of different parts of the brain and how they relate to dementia. Scientists have developed markers that can light up on a scan in patients with early dementia. This may help screen patients at risk and even allow physicians to follow response of patients to the different treatments. IT is only a matter of time before an effective therapy for dementia is available.
Dr. David Tal has more than twenty years of clinical experience. He strongly believes that medical treatment can improve the life of Alzheimer's and memory loss patients. His participation at the Age Matters Dementia Clinic allows him to share his knowledge with patients and their families.