What Are the Treatment Options for Dementia?
Dementia is a mental condition in which one's reasoning, perception, memory, and thinking becomes affected, interfering with his or her day-to-day activities. It is not a disease, but the symptoms are caused by a number of other diseases or health conditions. Dementia develops when infections or diseases affect the parts of brain that are concerned with traits like memory, reasoning, and learning. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. The intellectual functioning in these people are affected so much that it affects their normal day-to-day activities and social interactions. Behavioral problems including agitation, delusions and hallucinations are also seen in people with dementia.
Treatment for dementia depends on the actual cause of the disease:
- Substance abuse
- Tumors
- Hematoma
- Metabolic disorders
- Thyroid problems
- Hypoglycemia
There are few types of dementia that can not be treated:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- AIDS syndrome
- Multiple strokes
- Parkinson’s disease
Some of the common medications used for the treatment of increased impulsivity, loss of reasoning, and judgment and confusion include antipsychotics, mood stabilizers and stimulants. Doctors prescribe certain medications to slow down the progression of the disease.
Cognitive training would be helpful in improving the quality of life of the patients with dementia. Memory aids and computerized recall devices are some such devices that would be helpful to the patients. Behavior modification is another technique that would be helpful in cementing acceptable behaviors and to control dangerous behaviors in people with dementia.
Continuous monitoring and supervision is required for these people to avoid the risk of self-harm. They also need help with simple day-to-day activities. Those who are taking care of these patients should avoid those situations that may trigger unacceptable behaviors from people with dementia. They should be allowed to take up hobbies and continue the leisure activities to avoid frustration.
