If the problem of forgetfulness occurs suddenly for a short period of time, it is called acute confusing state. This type of confusing state can usually be caused by a stroke, a salt imbalance in the body, a head injury, or a decrease or increase in blood glucose levels.
The problem can be cured after taking proper treatment. But if the problem of forgetfulness is long-term, the cure is not easy, but continues to increase day by day, then it is called dementia.
How to understand dementia
You may be aware of dementia in yourself or someone close to you if you notice some small behavioral changes at first.
- Forgetting the recent past but remembering much earlier. For example, if you have forgotten what you ate for breakfast in the morning, or if you have taken the medicine, you can’t remember anything.
- If someone keeps asking the same question over and over again.
- Another notable symptom is frequent denial of this tendency to forget and arguing with family members.
- Symptoms may include not finding the right words when speaking, sudden personality changes, excessive restlessness, lack of sleep, sudden irritability, and seeing or hearing wrong.
This type of problem often occurs in older people and we take it as a normal change with age.
What to do after realizing the problem
Don’t laugh or give up as normal with age. Because something can be done before the problem becomes serious. So you should consult a neurologist.
Physicians usually perform a type of question-and-answer test called ‘Mini Mental State Examination’ to diagnose dementia. Thyroid hormone, the amount of vitamin B-12 in the blood, and an MRI of the head can be used to diagnose the cause of dementia.
There is no treatment
The treatment of dementia requires the help of multiple specialists such as doctors, nurses and health workers. A full team of neurologists, psychiatrists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, nutritionists, skilled nurses can play a significant role in the treatment of dementia patients.
We can divide the treatment of dementia into two parts, drug based and non-drug treatment.
Medicinal treatment
Revastigmin, Donepazil and memantine are effective in treating dementia patients. Revastigmin patches are applied to the skin. It is very useful in the treatment of dementia
Effective.
An elderly person can be completely relieved of atherosclerosis or dependence by taking treatment at the onset of the disease as it continues to get worse.
Why is that
There is a tendency to forget a little with age. A large proportion of the elderly over the age of 60 suffer from dementia or amnesia. But it can also be due to some diseases. For example, a decrease in thyroid hormone or one of the symptoms of hypothyroidism is forgetfulness or loss of attention.
Vitamin B12 deficiency affects the nerves and the brain. For this reason, it is not unusual. In addition, if blood clots form due to head injuries, brain damage due to tumors or strokes can lead to amnesia. Degenerative diseases of the brain, such as Alzheimer’s disease, are one of the leading causes of dementia.
Treatment without drugs
In addition to medication, some things are essential for the treatment of dementia.
- Provide adequate nutrition and vitamins in the diet.
- Behavioral therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Exercise regularly
- Intellectual discussion.
Stem cell therapy is currently the treatment for hereditary brain dementia
It is thought to be effective. If this treatment is successful, it is expected that medical science will go a long way in treating dementia.
Dementia can make a person’s normal daily activities miserable. At some point, the condition may become so severe that the patient is unable to eat or use the toilet on his own. Lifelong learning habits continue to be forgotten. So it needs treatment. Even if it is not completely the same as before, if the severity of the disease can be kept down a bit, the person with dementia will be much better in the family and society.
Dr. Nazmul Haque Munna
Assistant Professor (Neurology), Mugda Medical College, Dhaka
Prothom Alo, 16 December 2020
