In the medical community, dementia is a word that refers to significant alterations in the brain that cause memory loss. The preponderance of people who suffer from dementia experience changes in their conduct and demeanor. People’s ability to do fundamental everyday activities is also hampered due to these changes.

Dementia affects three parts of the brain: 

• the frontal lobe 
• the temporal lobe
• the prefrontal lobe

Types of Dementia

The prevalence of cases of dementia is caused by a disease that cannot be corrected once it begins. Alcohol and drug addiction can both cause and worsen dementia in some people. It may be feasible to reverse the damage done to the brain under specific circumstances. However, according to the Cleveland Clinic, a reversal occurs in less than 20% of persons suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s Disease 

Alzheimer’s disease is the most distinctive class of dementia and affects approximately 5.7 million people worldwide. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, this disease is responsible for somewhere between 60 and 80 percent of all cases of dementia. Depression, forgetting names and recent events, and a gloomy mood are all symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease in its early stages. On the other hand, depression is not associated with Alzheimer’s disease. It is a distinct illness that requires specialized treatment. Every now and again, sad older folks are mistakenly identified as suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is defined by losing brain cells in the patient’s brain. As the condition advances, people begin to feel bewilderment and changes in their mood. They also have difficulty communicating and walking.

Grown-ups over the age of 64-66 are at greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, which affects adults in their 40s and 50s, accounts for around 5% of all cases of Alzheimer’s disease.

Vascular Dementia 

Vascular dementia is the second most recurring type of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease. This condition occurs because of a shortage of blood supply to the brain. Vascular dementia is a condition that can develop as you age and is often associated with atherosclerotic disease or stroke.

Symptoms of vascular dementia might manifest either gradually or quickly, depending on the underlying cause. Confusion and disorientation are prominent early indicators of Alzheimer’s disease. Later in life, people may have difficulty completing tasks or maintaining concentration for extended periods of time.

In addition to vision issues, vascular dementia can result in hallucinations in certain people.

Dementia Associated with Lewy Bodies

Diffuse Lewy body dementia, often known as Lewy body dementia, is a kind of dementia caused by protein deposits in nerve cells. This causes memory loss and disorientation by interfering with the chemical messages in the brain that are being sent.

These individuals also experience visual hallucinations and have difficulty falling asleep at night or waking up abruptly during the day, which is characteristic of this type of dementia. They could also pass out, become disoriented, or lose their way.

Many of the signs of dementia with Lewy bodies are similar to those of Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. For example, many patients have trembling in their hands, difficulty walking, and a general sense of weakness.

Parkinson’s Disease 

Many persons with advanced Parkinson’s disease will develop dementia as a result of their condition. Problems with reasoning and judgment are common in the early stages of this form of dementia. People suffering from Parkinson’s disease dementia, for example, could have difficulty processing visual information or recalling how to perform simple daily chores. They may also have hallucinations that are perplexing or scary.

A person suffering from this type of dementia may also become irritated. As the condition advances, a large number of persons experience depression or paranoia. Others have difficulty communicating and may lose words or become disoriented during a conversation.

Frontotemporal Dementia 

Frontotemporal dementia is a phrase used to describe numerous different varieties of dementia that have one thing in common: they all damage the front and side sections of the brain, which are the locations of the brain that handle language and behavioral responses. Pick’s disease is another name for this condition.

FTD affects persons as early as 45 years old and can cause severe cognitive impairment. According to the Alzheimer’s Society, although experts are baffled as to what causes the disease, it does seem to run in families, and persons who have it have mutations in particular genes.

This type of dementia results in a loss of inhibitions and motivation, as well as compulsive conduct and behavior disorders. Individuals may also experience difficulties with their speech, including forgetting the meaning of commonly used terms.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease 

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is an uncommon form of dementia that affects only a small percentage of the population. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, only one in every one million persons is diagnosed with the disease each year. CJD progresses at a rapid pace, and victims are frequently killed within a year of being diagnosed.

The signs and symptoms of CJD are similar to those of other types of dementia. Some people suffer from agitation, while others are depressed for other reasons. Confusion and memory loss are also prominent symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. CJD has an effect on the body as well, causing twitching and muscle stiffness in the affected areas.

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome 

Known also as Wernicke’s disease or Wernicke’s encephalopathy, Wernicke’s disease is a form of brain condition caused by a shortage of vitamin B-1 in the body, which results in bleeding in the lower portions of the brain. In addition to physical symptoms such as double vision and motor coordination loss, Wernicke’s illness can create mental signs such as depression and anxiety. The physical symptoms of Wernicke’s disease, if left untreated, begin to fade after a certain point, and the signs of Korsakoff syndrome begin to develop.

Korsakoff syndrome is a memory condition induced by advanced Wernicke’s disease that affects the right side of the brain. People who suffer from Korsakoff syndrome may experience difficulties in the following areas:

• analyzing information and developing new abilities
• being able to recall information

The two illnesses are connected and are commonly referred to as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, which is a phrase used to direct the combination of the two conditions. Technically, it is not a kind of Alzheimer’s disease. However, because the symptoms are similar to those of dementia, it is frequently categorized as such.

It is possible to develop Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome as a result of starvation or persistent infection. The most common reason for this vitamin shortage, on the other hand, is drunkenness.

People who have Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome may invent information to fill in the gaps in their memory without realizing that they are doing it.

Mixed Dementia

In this circumstance, a person has more than one type of dementia, and the condition is referred to as mixed dementia. Mixed dementia is quite prevalent, with vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease being the most common combinations. It is calculated to be up to 45 percent of dementia patients have mixed dementia and are unaware of it, according to the New Jersey Alzheimer’s Association.

Mixed dementia can manifest itself in a variety of ways in different persons. Some patients experience memory loss and disorientation early, whilst others report changes in their behavior and mood later in the process. As the disease progresses, the majority of people suffering from mixed dementia will have difficulty speaking and walking.

 Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Normopressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a condition in which a person’s brain’s ventricles become engorged with fluid due to an accumulation of excess fluid. The ventricles are fluid-filled compartments that are designed to provide cushioning for the brain and spinal cord of a person. They rely on just the appropriate amount of fluid to perform their functions correctly. When the fluid builds up to an excessive amount, it puts additional pressure on the cerebral cortex. This can cause brain damage, which can result in the onset of dementia symptoms. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, NPH is thought to be responsible for approximately 5% of all dementia cases.

NPH can be caused by a variety of factors, including but not limited to:

• injury 
• bleeding 
• infection
• past brain surgeries due to a brain tumor

On the other hand, doctors are not always aware of the underlying etiology of NPH. Among the signs and symptoms are:

• a lack of equilibrium
• forgetfulness
• Depression
• Falls on a regular basis
• loss of bowel or bladder control

By seeking therapy as soon as possible, you can help a doctor intervene before additional brain damage takes place. Normal-pressure hydrocephalus is actually one of the types of dementia that can be treated surgically in some cases, such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Huntington’s Disease

Huntington’s disease is a genetic illness that results in dementia in affected individuals. There are two forms of onset: juvenile and adult. The juvenile variety is less common and manifests itself in symptoms during childhood or adolescence. The adult form of the disease often manifests itself in a person’s 30s or 40s when they first notice symptoms. As a result of the illness, nerve cells in the brain begin to break down prematurely, which can result in dementia as well as movement impairment.

In addition to jerking motions and difficulties walking, Huntington’s illness is associated with difficulty swallowing and difficulty swallowing. Among the signs and symptoms of dementia are:

• difficulty concentrating on specific activities
• issues with impulse control
• Having difficulty speaking effectively is difficult. gaining knowledge of new things

There are a variety of other causes of dementia.

There are numerous disorders that might induce dementia in their latter stages. People suffering from multiple sclerosis, for example, may acquire dementia. HIV-positive individuals are also at risk of developing cognitive impairment and dementia, particularly if they are not taking antiviral drugs.