About
Causes of dementia:
Click each cause to learn more about the causes of dementia and the common warning signs for each.
What is dementia?
- Dementia is the name for a group of symptoms that contribute to the progressive and considerable decline of the patient’s mental abilities.
Overall, dementia affects memory, behaviour, personality, comprehension and judgement.
Dementia sufferers often exhibit these common problems:
- Forgetful. There is a marked impairment in short term memory which contributes to the other common symptoms associated with dementia.
- Difficulties communicating. A diminished short term memory interferes with sustained conversation and concentration.
- Drastic changes in mood. Sufferer’s can become withdrawn and depressed in response to their condition.
- Problems with reasoning.
The effects of dementia are not immediately apparent in its early stages, but they become evident as the condition progresses. As a result, it is often difficult to diagnose in its early stages, especially amongst the elderly, dementia is indistinguishable from mental problems common with ageing, such as forgetfulness.