Understanding Dementia: Causes, Symptoms, and When to Seek Help

by: dr. Anastasia Melissa Ayu L. Witjaksono, Sp.N

Dementia is a health disorder that causes a decline in memory, logical thinking ability, and other cognitive functions. This condition can negatively impact daily activities and social interactions of those affected.
Although often considered a part of aging, dementia is actually a disorder of brain function. Forgetfulness is common with age, but dementia causes far more severe impairments than just being forgetful.
Dementia is caused by damage to nerve cells and blood vessels in the brain, preventing it from functioning properly.

Types of Dementia

Based on the changes that occur, there are several types of dementia:

• Alzheimer’s disease: caused by the buildup of proteins in the brain that disrupt nerve cell function.
• Vascular dementia: occurs when brain cells lack blood and oxygen due to narrowing or blockage of brain blood vessels.
• Lewy body dementia: caused by clumps of protein called Lewy bodies that damage brain nerve cells.
• Frontotemporal dementia: caused by damage to nerve cells in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain.
• Mixed dementia: when a person suffers from two or more types of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia.

Other causes of dementia include:

• Immune system disorders
• Metabolic or endocrine disorders
• Multiple sclerosis
• Deficiency of certain vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B1
• Subdural hematoma (bleeding under the brain membrane)
• Side effects of certain medications, such as sedatives and painkillers
• Brain tumors

Risk Factors for Dementia

Several factors can increase the risk of dementia, especially unhealthy lifestyle habits and aging. Risk factors to watch out for include:

• Family history of dementia
• Unhealthy diet
• Lack of exercise
• Smoking habits
• Alcohol addiction
• Long-term exposure to heavy metals, such as mercury or arsenic
• Use of gabapentin

Symptoms

Dementia symptoms generally include memory decline and changes in thinking, speaking, or activity abilities. The severity and symptoms vary among individuals.

Gejala demensia berdasarkan tingkat keparahannya:

Early Stage

Symptoms are mild and usually don’t interfere much with daily activities:

1. Easily forgetful
2. Difficulty finding the right words when speaking
3. Repeating the same activity unknowingly
4. Starting to struggle with tasks that were previously easy
5. Getting lost in familiar places

Middle Stage

Symptoms begin to interfere with daily life:

1. Difficulty performing basic tasks like dressing, eating, and bathing independently
2. Forgetting newly learned information
3. Forgetting names of family members or close friends
4. Difficulty making decisions and solving problems
5. Getting lost frequently
6. Repeating conversations
7. Forgetting past memories

Late Stage

Severe dementia symptoms appear, and the person can no longer live independently:

1. Unable to walk or sit
2. Doesn’t recognize family members
3. Unable to understand or use language

When to See a Doctor

Early detection of dementia allows for quicker treatment, which can slow symptom progression and improve quality of life.

See a doctor immediately if there is a significant decline in thinking and memory abilities for further evaluation at a hospital.

If emergency symptoms occur, such as sudden loss of consciousness, extreme behavioral changes, or drastic physical decline, go to the nearest emergency room for medical help.
 

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