Presented by: Rick Dobyns, MD

Transcription

1 Presented by: Rick Dobyns, MD

2 Learning Objec-ves Demen-a What is Dementia? Causes Symptoms Treatment Signs and Tests Prevention Alzheimer s Disease What is Alzheimer s? Types of AD Causes Risk Factors Prevention Treatment Prognosis

3 What is Dementia? Dementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. Dementia is very common in elderly people, but not part of normal aging. Dementia can affect: Language Memory Judgement Behavior Thinking

4 Alternative Names Chronic Brain Syndrome Lewy Body Dementia DLB Vascular Dementia Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

5 Causes Lewy Body Disease most common cause of dementia Vascular Dementia many small strokes Other causes: Brain tumors Brain injury Low vitamin B12 level Changes in blood sugar Chronic alcohol abuse

6 Conditions that can lead to dementia Huntington s Disease Brain injury Multiple Sclerosis Parkinson Disease Pick Disease Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Infections that can affect the brain (HIV/AIDS, Syphilis, Lyme Disease)

7 Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) The stage between normal forgetfulness due to aging and the development of dementia. Mild problems with thinking and memory Symptoms do not interfere with daily activities Often are aware of the forgetfulness Not everyone with MCI develops Dementia

8 Symptoms of MCI Difficulty multitasking Forgetting recent events or conversations Difficulty solving problems and making decisions Taking longer to complete difficult mental activities

9 Symptoms of Early Dementia Getting lost on familiar routes Losing interest in things previously enjoyed Misplacing items Personality changes Loss of social skills Difficulty learning new information or routines

10 Dementia Symptoms Dementia symptoms affect many areas of mental function, including: Emotional behavior or personality Language Memory Perception Thinking and judgement (cognitive skills) People with dementia have serious problems with two or more of these brain functions.

11 Signs and Tests A health care provider can often diagnose dementia with the following: Complete a physical exam (including nervous system) Knowing a patient s medical history and symptoms Mental function tests

12 Signs and Tests Cont. Other tests include: Blood work Head CT MRI of head Thyroid function test Urinalysis Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis

13 Treatment Treatment op-ons may improve symptoms or slow down the disease, but cannot cure demen-a or repair brain damage. Treatment depends on the condition causing the Dementia Stopping of changing medications Mental exercises

14 Prevention Most causes of Dementia are not preventable Risk of vascular dementia can be reduced by: Eating health foods Exercising Controlling high blood pressure Managing diabetes Quitting smoking

15 What is Alzheimer's? Alzheimer s disease is one form of dementia that gradually gets worse over time. It is the most common form of dementia among older people. Alzheimer s affects: Memory Thinking Behavior

16 Types of Alzheimer s Early Onset Alzheimer s Disease: Symptoms appear before age 60 Less common Tends to get worse quickly Can run in families (multiple identified genes) Late Onset Alzheimer s Disease: Most common type of Alzheimer s Occurs in people age 60 and older May run in some families

17 Causes of Alzheimer s Overall cause is not clear Genes and environment factors play a significant role

18

19 Risk Factors of Alzheimer s Disease Older age After age 65, the risk doubles every 5 years Have a close blood relative with AD Parent or sibling Have certain genes linked to AD History of head trauma Being female Having high blood pressure for a long period

20

21 Progressed Symptoms of AD Change in sleep patterns Delusions, depression, agitation Difficulty doing basic tasks Poor judgement Difficulty reading or writing Hallucinations, arguments, violent behavior Forgetting events in your own life Losing awareness of who you are Withdrawing from social contact

22 Severe Alzheimer s disease People with severe Alzheimer s may have: Difficulty understanding language Trouble recognizing family members A hard time performing basic activities of daily living Problems swallowing Incontinence

23 Lower Your Risk Increasing physical activity Diet rich in fruits and vegetables Maintaining social engagement Participating in intellectually stimulating activities Prevention of diseases that damage blood vessels

24

25 Treatment There is currently no treatment that can stop the disease, but some medications and supplements that can slow the effects. (You should always speak with your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medications.) Medication: Slow down the rate at which symptoms worsen Benefit is usually small Can help control dangerous behaviors Supplements: Folate (B6), Vitamin B12, Vitamin E

26 Prognosis Alzheimer s worsens at a different rate for each person The quicker AD develops, the quicker it worsens Patients may live anywhere from 3-20 years after diagnosis Final phase may last a few months to several years Patient becomes totally disabled during this time Death usually occurs from an infection or organ failure

27 Thank you! Schedule an Appointment: Meet your Primary Care Provider Memory Disorders Clinic (319) Geriatric Medicine Clinic