About this disease
What it is about
Dementia is a generic term for a variety of different diseases that are associated with an impairment of brain performance. It primarily affects cognitive abilities, i.e. thinking, memory, language and orientation. Dementia develops gradually and can have numerous causes. Dementia is on the rise and is already the most common reason for needing care in old age.
Types
There are a variety of types of dementia. Some are curable, others are not. However, even in these cases, the symptoms can at least be alleviated and the course of the disease slowed down. Curable types of dementia are associated, for example, with a vitamin B12 deficiency or hypothyroidism. In the non-curable types of dementia, the brain becomes diseased. The most frequently diagnosed so-called Alzheimer's dementia, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, fronto-temporal dementia and Parkinson's dementia are among them.
Symptoms and consequences
In the case of dementia, mental capacity is lost gradually. The symptoms depend very much on the type of dementia. For example, forgetfulness, confusion, irritability, disorientation or speech disorders can occur.
What we do for you
Examination and diagnosis
A dementia assessment includes a detailed anamnesis, i.e. the history of the disease is recorded in detail. Whenever possible, the relatives are involved. This is followed by an examination of the body, the blood and so-called imaging examinations of the head such as computer tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This is supplemented by a neurological examination and cognitive testing, in which the thinking and perceptual processes are examined in more detail.
Treatment
Dementia diseases are usually not curable, but depending on their form, their course can be influenced under certain circumstances. Depending on the type of disease, medications such as anti-dementia drugs are used. Treatment can also be supplemented by non-drug measures such as behavioral or occupational therapies. It is also particularly important to instruct the patient's environment well and to inform relatives about the course and characteristics of the disease.