incidence of senile dementia

Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
Updated on November 18, 2024
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Dementia in the elderly has a very noticeable high incidence trend worldwide and in China, with many people over the age of 65 suffering from this disease. Statistics show that in Western countries, the incidence of dementia in the elderly might be around 3%-8%. In China, the incidence among the elderly over 65 may also be around 5%. Therefore, the number of elderly people suffering from this disease is very large, and thus it is essential to pay attention to this disease. This disease is mainly caused by the death of nerve cells due to many reasons. Currently, there is no effective cure for this disease, but there are some drugs that can alleviate the symptoms. These drugs mainly include cholinesterase inhibitors, which can increase the content of acetylcholine in the brain, improving the level of cognitive function in patients. Additionally, symptomatic treatment should be noted to prevent lung infections, malnutrition, and other complications in the elderly.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
1min 10sec home-news-image

How is Alzheimer's disease treated?

Senile dementia, also known as Alzheimer's disease, is the most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide. The pathogenesis of this disease is not particularly clear so far and may be related to genetic and environmental factors. Multiple factors act on neurons causing irreversible and progressive death of neuronal cells. Currently, the treatment of this disease mainly includes two aspects. The first aspect is general treatment, mainly including family care. Family members must pay attention to the care of the patient, prevent the patient from accidentally wandering off, prevent the patient from falling, and prevent some accidents that cause injuries. In addition, it is important for the patient to listen to music, interact with others, and exercise more, all of which can delay the progression of senile dementia. The second aspect is pharmacological treatment, mainly using drugs that inhibit the reduction of acetylcholine. These drugs can increase the content of acetylcholine and improve the cognitive functions of patients to a certain extent, but so far, these treatments cannot reverse senile dementia.

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Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
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What is dementia called?

The commonly mentioned senile dementia, also known as Alzheimer's disease, is the most common type of dementia. Its incidence generally increases in people over the age of 65 and continues to increase with age. It is a degenerative disease, with risk factors including age and gender, usually higher in women than in men. It is also related to educational level, whether there has been trauma, genetics, thyroid function, exposure to toxic substances, as well as vascular factors. Diabetes and depression are also risk factors for senile dementia.

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Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
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How long is the lifespan of someone with Alzheimer's?

The causes of dementia in the elderly can be varied, with many diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and vascular dementia, all leading to senile dementia. Therefore, how long one lives may require specific analysis. If the dementia is due to cerebrovascular factors, the lifespan of the individual may be closely related to the primary disease, i.e., cerebrovascular disease. Dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease progresses with the disease and affects the patient's lifespan. In its advanced stages, when the patient can no longer take care of themselves, complications such as lung infections can further impact their lifespan. There are also other factors, which need to be assessed based on the evaluation of the disease.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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What to do about senile dementia?

When dementia occurs in the elderly, there is a noticeable decline in cognitive function. Initially, it is important to identify the cause of the dementia; some cerebrovascular diseases can also cause dementia. For example, cerebral infarction in certain specific areas of the brain can lead to dementia if it affects the intelligence center. For dementia caused by these reasons, it is recommended to treat with antithrombotic medications, including antiplatelet aggregation drugs and brain cell protective medications. Additionally, if the dementia is caused by Alzheimer's disease, close care is needed to prevent incidents like the patient getting lost. It is advisable to write contact numbers in the pockets of their clothes and administer acetylcholinesterase inhibitors to increase the levels of acetylcholine in the brain, which can improve cognitive function to a certain extent. (Note: This answer is for reference only. Medication should be prescribed and managed under the guidance of a professional physician, and self-medication should be avoided.)

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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symptoms of senile dementia

The symptoms of dementia mainly include the following aspects: First, there is evident impairment in cognitive functions, primarily involving memory decline. Initially, it may predominantly affect recent memory, with patients often forgetting recent events. As the disease progresses, they may start forgetting events from the distant past as well. Additionally, patients may experience a decline in calculation skills, judgment, execution, and comprehension abilities; their capacity to learn and work is comprehensively impaired. Spatial dysfunction can also occur, causing disorientation and frequent episodes of getting lost. Secondly, in the later stages, patients may display changes in behavior and personality, alongside corresponding psychological symptoms. For example, the patient might become aggressive, restless, and exhibit hallucinations visually and auditorily. Wandering at night is another common symptom. Thirdly, in the later stages, patients might show clinical signs such as muscle atrophy and paralysis. Incontinence is also a common symptom.