What is dementia?

Dementia refers to a condition in which the brain changes due to various reasons, can no longer be done until then, and hinders life. "Alzheimer's type dementia", "Levy body dementia", "frontotemporal dementia" caused by the effects of the brain on nerve cells, and "vascular dementia" caused by damage to blood vessels in the brain. There are various types of dementia depending on the disease.

The brain has its own role in each part. There are various parts, such as the parts that have a sense of seeing and listening, the parts that carry exercise, and the parts that carry memory. There are various types of dementia depending on where the brain is impaired.

When protein called beta (beta) amyloid accumulates in the brain over a long period of 20 or 30 years, the function of cells in the brain is gradually lost and died, and the brain is atrophy and the function is generally reduced. To go.
The progression is slow, but the symptoms vary as the whole brain is atrophy. This is the most common type of dementia.

Dementia in which nutrients and oxygen are no longer distributed to nerve cells due to cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral arteriosclerosis, etc., resulting in death of nerve cells in that part or break the nerve network. There are two types: one that suddenly develops and progresses stepwise, and one that develops gently and progresses slowly. Symptoms vary depending on the damaged brain.

Dementia that occurs when cells in the brain are damaged by the accumulation of a substance called Levy body in the brain. It is characterized by hallucinations and Parkinson symptoms (slow movement, limb, muscle stiffness, etc.) that appear to be invisible.

It is caused by atrophy of the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, and the onset age tends to be younger. It is characterized by an increase in antisocial behavior, such as being unbearable, becoming angry, and taking selfish actions that are not suitable for the spot (such as pick disease).

There are various causes of dementia. Vitamin deficiency due to lack of vitamins and hypoglycemia with too low blood sugar levels can also cause dementia, and dementia stems from alcoholism and drug dependence.
In addition, there are dementia that can be cured by early diagnosis, such as chronic subdural hematoma and normal pressure hydrocephalusia, which can be cured by receiving appropriate treatment such as surgery. Some diseases, such as depression, have symptoms that are likely to be mistaken for dementia.
(Note) Not all people with brain impairments may have dementia.

Symptoms that occur directly when brain cells are broken are called "core symptoms." This includes memory impairment, disorientation, poor understanding and judgment, and reduced execution function.
　・I can't remember
　・I don't know the sense of time or place.
　・It takes time to think about
　・I can't do anything at once.

On the other hand, factors such as the person's personality, environment, and human relations may be intertwined, causing mental symptoms and behavioral problems in daily life, and are called "behavioral / psychological symptoms".
　・I can't go home because I get lost
　・Failure in the toilet
　・Frustrated, loud, rampage, etc.

The person with dementia is embarrassed and anxious, aware of himself gradually becoming unable to remember.
It is the person who first realizes that something is wrong. And it is the person who is painful and sad than anyone else. It is important that people around you accept the feelings and treat them so that you do not surprise, 2 do not hurry, 3 do not hurt your self-esteem, and (4) not deny.

Source: Yokohama City version of dementia supporter training course text (edited / published City of Yokohama, Health and Social Welfare Bureau Elderly Home Support Division)
　　　Step-Up Training Text -Towards community development where people with dementia can live with peace ofCity of Yokohama, Health and Social Welfare Bureau
　　　Home Support Division)