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Dementia is a memory function due to organic brain disease that is characterized by the premature death of large numbers of brain cells. It is a progressive, degenerative condition that involves the deterioration of nerve cells in the brain, resulting in memory loss and disorientation. This condition progresses over several years. It is estimated that 75 percent of people 65 years and older are plagued with symptoms of dementia. The disease rarely manifests itself before age 60.

At present, scientists have not yet found a primary cause for dementia. However, many have initiated several theories such as prolonged exposure to aluminum and copper. These elements are commonly found in antacids, antiperspirants, food and cookware. In addition, it is also theorized that genetics, environmental and pharmaceutical toxins, autoimmune factors, brain injury/trauma, cholinergic nerve destruction due to excitatory amino acids, gluten sensitivity or allergy to wheat, hypothyroidism, elevated homocysteine levels and excess cortisol from adrenals, which destroy optimal brain functioning were additional contributing factors. Finally, research has discovered that most dementia patients are also deficient in certain vitamins such as B12, zinc, selenium, potassium and boron.

The most common symptoms of dementia include memory loss, inability for abstract thought, impaired judgment, cognitive decline and the inability to carry out everyday tasks. As progression of this disease continues, short term memory lapse becomes acute memory loss. In its later stages, loss of vitality, acute anxiety, apprehension and mood swings and ineffective body movements become prevalent. In addition, intellectual ability such as inability to find the correct words or figure out simple mathematical calculations can also occur. Generally, night time can escalate these symptoms with violent behavior, belligerence, incontinence and involuntary actions; however there are some who become more docile and withdrawn.

Often times, patients do not realize that symptoms of dementia can be caused by prescription medications. They can also be linked to psychological deficits and altered behavior. Hence, it is very important that a patient be checked thoroughly before prescribing any medications. In addition, malnutrition can play a major role in symptoms of dementia. Preparing patients nutritious meals with plenty of vitamin B is vital to their brain function. Many of today’s elderly are malnourished; therefore it is highly imperative that they receive a proper diet combined with vitamin supplements to determine if this is the cause of their symptoms before turning to pharmaceuticals as the answer.

Subcortical and cortical are the two broad categories of dementia. The area of the brain that is being affected determines which category of dementia is present.

Parts of the brain beneath the cortex that are affected are considered subcortical. Typical forms of this type of dementia include Parkinsons disease, Huntington’s disease, and AIDS dementia complex. In these cases, attention span and personality are affected as well as the slowing down of thought processing.

Cortical dementias results from a disorder affecting the cerebral cortex, which is the outer layer of the brain that plays a critical role in cognitive processes such as memory and language. Alzheimer’s and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease are two forms of cortical dementia. These patients typically show severe memory impairment and aphasia, the inability to recall words and understand common language. In addition, there are some cases, such as with multi-infarct dementia, where both parts of the brain tend to be affected.