Dementia Types

 Dementia types

There are several types of dementia. They include but are not limited to the following.

 Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 70–80%Trusted Source of cases. In Alzheimer’s disease, “plaques” and “tangles” develop in and between the brain cells. Both are due to changes in proteins.

A person may have short-term memory problems, difficulty finding words and making decisions, and difficulty seeing things in three dimensions.

Lewy body dementia

Lewy body dementia occurs when unusual structures known as Lewy bodies develop in the brain. These brain changes involve a protein called alpha-synuclein.

In the early stages, there may be fluctuations in alertness, hallucinations, and difficulty judging distance. The impact on short-term memory may be less severe than it is with Alzheimer’s disease.

People with Parkinson’s disease may also have Lewy bodies. Although doctors often consider Parkinson’s disease a disorder of movement, symptoms of dementia can also appear.

Frontotemporal dementia

This condition involves damage to the front and sides of the brain. It happens when brain cells die due to clumps of protein developing inside them.

Depending on the part of the brain the condition affects, the person may have difficulty with behaviour, speech and communication, or both.

Huntington’s disease

Huntington’s disease is an inherited genetic condition. The main symptoms are uncontrolled movements, but dementia can also occur.

Early symptoms may include difficulty focusing, irritability, and impulsivity. Depression may also be present. The person may have difficulty with organizing, multitasking, and planning. These symptoms may appear before movement changes develop.

Mixed dementia

When this happens, a person has a diagnosis of two or three types together. For instance, a person may have both Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia at the same time.

Early symptoms

Early symptoms of dementia vary between types but typically include:

·        forgetfulness

·        mood changes

·        anxiety, anger, or depression

·        difficulty finding the right words

·        apathy

·        confusion

·        repeating speech or actions

·        difficulty following a storyline or recounting a story

·        difficulty completing everyday tasks

·        a reduced sense of direction

·        difficulty adapting to changes

·        leaving everyday items in unusual places

Dementia causes

Some types of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, result from the progressive death of brain cells and neurons. It develops and worsens over time.

However, dementia can also result from head injuries, stroke, brain tumours, and other causes. A stroke, for example, can stop blood and oxygen from reaching brain cells, resulting in damage and cell death. Receiving a blow to the head can damage brain cells directly.

Some types of traumatic brain injury — particularly if repetitive, which can happen in some sports — may increase the risk of certain types of dementia later in life.

Some other factors and conditions with similar symptoms include: 

·        the use of some drugs

·        some infections, such as HIV or neurosyphilis

·        depression

·        vitamin B12 or E deficiency

·        thyroid problems

Dementia tests

Assessment usually involves a number of questions and tasks. The following post will explore these in more detail.

Dementia 1

The following information and the next few posts were taken from Medical News TodayDementia is a general term for symptoms affecting memory, communication, and thinking. Although the likelihood of having dementia increases with age, it is not a normal part of aging. Symptoms of dementia depend on the type a person has, but they typically include:

·        memory problems

·        asking the same question repeatedly

·        difficulty finding or understanding words

·        feeling confused in an unfamiliar environment

·        problems dealing with money and numbers

·        anxiety and withdrawal

·        difficulty planning and carrying out tasks

·        mood changes

·        personality and behavioral changes

·        sleep disturbances

·        changes in social awareness, such as making inappropriate jokes

·        obsessive tendencies

The symptoms tend to become more severe over time. The person may notice some symptoms themselves, but their family members or caregivers may notice others.

The World Health Organization (WHO) divides dementia into roughly three stages: early, middle, and late.

Early-stage

At this stage, it may not seem that a person has dementia. They may:

·        become more forgetful

·        lose track of time

·        feel lost in familiar locations

Middle stage

At this stage, the symptoms become more noticeable and include: 

·        forgetting names and recent events

·        feeling lost when at home

·        difficulty communicating

·        behavioural changes

·        repeatedly asking questions

·        needing help with personal care

Late stage

At this stage, a person needs full-time assistance, as the impact of the symptoms typically becomes more severe. The person may:

·        be unaware of where they are

·        be unaware of time

·        have difficulty recognizing loved ones

·        find it hard to walk

·        experience behavioural changes, which may include aggression

 

Eat, exercise and stay healthy

 While some people believe that aerobic exercise does not help build muscle, recent research disagrees. Regular cardio can support muscle growth and function. It also increases overall fitness levels, which may help reduce the risk of injury.

For optimal muscle building, the authors of a 2014 review suggest that people carry out aerobic exercise:

·        at 70–80% of their heart rate reserve, which a person can calculate by subtracting their resting heart rate from their maximum heart rate

·        for 30–45 minutes at a time

·        on 4–5 days per week

·        Rest and muscle growth

Rest plays an integral part in building muscle. By not letting each of the muscle groups rest, a person will reduce their ability to repair. Insufficient rest also slows fitness progression and increases the risk of injury.

Getting enough sleep is also important for the process of muscle growth. The researchers behind a 2011 study hypothesize that sleep debt decreases protein synthesis, contributes to the loss of muscle mass, and inhibits muscle recovery. However, many further studies are necessary to confirm the link.

A 2019 study found no direct correlation between sleep and muscle gain. However, the study authors do suggest that sleep deprivation can increase the amount of cortisol that circulates the body after exercise. Cortisol is a stress hormone.

Reducing stress may help a person build muscle, as the hormones that the body releases during periods of stress have a negative effect on muscle development.

Eating a balanced and healthful diet is key to staying fit. For people who wish to build muscle, protein intake is especially important.

Current guidelines recommend that adult males and females consume 56 grams (g) and 46 g, respectively, of protein every day.

The timing of protein intake may also be of importance. A paper belonging to the 2013 Nestlé Nutrition Institute Workshop Series suggests that consuming 20 g of dietary protein during or immediately after exercise helps stimulate muscle protein synthesis, reduce protein breakdown, and promote more effective muscle reconditioning. Sources of protein include:

·                                              meat

·        fish

·        eggs

·        milk and cheese

·        soybeans and tofu

·        beans and lentils

·        nuts

·        seeds

A fitness professional can advise people on the correct form to use when lifting weights and using other gym equipment. Using the right technique reduces the risk of injury and enhances the potential to build muscle. People may also benefit from following the advice below:

·    Warm up and stretch for 5–10 minutes before engaging in strength or cardio activities.

·    Begin with light weights and increase the weight or resistance level gradually.

·    Carry out all exercises using the correct form, breathing techniques, and controlled movement.

·    Expect some soreness and muscle fatigue afterward, particularly in the early stages. However, too much discomfort or exhaustion suggests that the workouts are too intense, too frequent, or too long.

People should consult a doctor before embarking on any new exercise regimen and if needed, a personal trainer or gym employee can provide safety guidance.

Exercise 2

 Tips for beginners

Staying active is vital for overall health, and it is also the best way to build skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscle is one of the three major muscle types. Tendons attach these muscles, which contract and cause movement, to bones.

People are best able to improve their muscle mass by performing the right exercises and eating particular foods.

A variety of factors — including genetics and the levels of estrogen and testosterone in the body — can affect how rapidly a person can develop muscle.

Both males and females can have the following body shapes, and each requires a different approach to muscle building:

People build muscle at different rates depending on their age, sex, and genetics, but muscle development significantly increases if exercise is:

·        consistent

·        challenging

·        long-term

People also achieve the best results when they follow an exercise with enough rest.

The best type of exercise to build muscle is strength training, although cardiovascular activity can also provide benefits.

It takes several weeks or months of consistent activity and exercise before muscle changes become visible.

According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans 2015–2020, adults should engage in muscle-strengthening exercises that involve all major muscle groups at least twice weekly. Examples of strength training activities include:

·        lifting free weights

·        using stationary weight machines

·        resistance band activities

·        bodyweight exercises, such as pushups and squats

·        strength training classes that incorporate some or all of the above activities

A 2019 review looked at the effects of resistance training on the conditioning of crew members preparing for spaceflight. Its findings suggest that resistance training with three weight sets was generally more effective than performing one set.

As a person’s age increases, so do the risk of limited mobility and other skeletal and muscular problems, such as osteoporosis or osteoarthritis.

However, older adults should try to meet adult exercise guidelines if they can. If they are unable to do this, they should remain as physically active as their physical limitations allow.

Strength training is also beneficial for older adults to prevent injury and aid recovery.

Also known as aerobic activity or simply “cardio,” cardiovascular exercise benefits a person’s heart and respiratory system.

Cardio is vital for overall health. Current guidelines recommend that adults participate in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity each week.