Essay
This is a distinction level essay for dementia
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This was an essay l submitted back in 2021. I managed to get a distinction in dementia upon submission.
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P1 p2Dementia is a progressive, degenerative disorder which causes memory loss. There are
different types of dementia and it is important to understand them for the best treatment
and care to be provided. Types of dementia include Alzheimer’s disease, Dementia with
Lewy bodies, Frontotemporal dementia and vascular dementia. The three types of dementia
that will be focused on in this assignment are Alzheimer’s disease, Dementia with Lewy
bodies and vascular dementia.
Alzheimer’s disease is caused by a build-up of protein plaques and tangles. Alzheimer's disease is a
progressive neurologic disorder that causes the brain to shrink (atrophy) and brain cells to die. This
would mean that the nerve cells cannot pass on signals effectively. It tends to be the slowest form of
dementia to develop, however, different factors can affect the speed of progression. An individual
with early onset dementia may experience the most rapid deterioration as might individuals with
diabetes or heart disorders.
The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease may start of mild and worsen over time as this is a
degenerative condition. The symptoms include memory loss, usually short-term memory loss, mood
swings including frustration, anger and paranoia. According to the NIA (2017) “ Poor judgment
leading to bad decisions, loss of spontaneity and sense of initiative, taking longer to
complete normal daily tasks and repeating questions” are all symptoms of Alzheimer’s
disease.
Dementia with Lewy bodies is caused by abnormal protein deposits called Lewy Bodies in the nerve
cells of the brain. More research is needed to establish why Lewy Bodies appear in the brain but
their appearance is linked to low levels of dopamine and acetylcholine, and the progressive loss of
connections between nerve cells, death of nerve cells and eventually death of brain tissue.
According to the NHS (2021) “Lewy bodies disrupt the brain's normal functions by
interfering with chemical signals transmitted from one brain cell to another. ” The location
in which Lewy bodies are distributed in the brain affect the symptoms that the individual
experiences. If the Lewy bodies are in the outer layers of the brain, then cognitive function will be
impaired, but if the Lewy bodies are in the base of the brain, then cognitive function will be
impaired, but if the Lewy bodies are in the base of the brain then this will affect fine and gross motor
skills.
The symptoms of Dementia with Lewy bodies include problems with attention span, visual
impairments and problems with judging distance. They may suffer from hallucinations and delusions
and may have difficulty in eating and swallowing. People with the condition tend to swing from a
state of alertness to drowsiness or staring into space. These extreme changes may be unpredictable
and happen from hour to hour or day to day. Their sleeping patterns may be disturbed along with
organisational issues and fainting. Due to their disturbed sleeping pattern they are more likely to be
tired throughout the day as they do not get enough rest. They could also result in serious injuries
due to falling and fainting.
Frontotemporal dementia is a term for a group of uncommon brain disorders the affect the frontal
and temporal lobes of the brain. These areas of the brain are generally associated with personality,
, behaviour and language. The right frontal lobe is responsible for behaviour and emotions, and the
left is responsible for language. In this type of dementia the nerve connections are lost, as are some
of the chemical messengers, and pathways for transmitting impulses change. Eventually, the brain
tissue in the frontal lobes shrinks. It is caused by a build-up of proteins in the lobes of the brain. One
of the causes of this type of dementia is genetic, where the genetic coding that forms the genetic
identity of an individual has a malformation that results in the build-up of proteins. Research
suggests that early onset FTD may have a genetic link. Apo lipoprotein E appears to increase the risk,
with variant e4 appearing to be the greatest risk. Other forms of FTD can be caused by Creutzfeldt-
Jakob disease and human immunodeficiency virus. Other causes may be consuming large quantities
of alcohol as this may raise blood pressure, raise cholesterol and damage blood vessels, all of which
can increase the risk of stroke and impaired cognition. Alcohol-related brain damage shares many
symptoms with dementia, including language impairment, but in contrast to dementia, with the
right support and by remaining alcohol free, there may be potential recovery of the faculties. Head
injuries can also damage the brain, causing problems ranging from epilepsy to behavioural changes
similar to symptoms of dementia.
Symptoms of FTD extreme changes in behaviour and personality. Symptoms will vary
depending on the damage caused by the dementia and where it has happened. If they have
behavioural FTD symptoms may include increasingly inappropriate behaviour, loss of
empathy and other interpersonal skills. Such as sensitivity to other peoples feeling. They
may develop repetitive compulsive behaviour, such as tapping and clapping. FTD may lead
to language problems, this would mean that they may find it difficult to understand both
written and spoken language, (they may have trouble naming objects). They may also make
mistakes when constructing sentences and may find it difficult to remember the meaning of
words. Non fluent aphasia may lead to speech problems. “Rarer subtypes of frontotemporal
dementia are characterized by problems with movement, similar to those associated with
Parkinson's disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Movement-related problems may
include tremors, rigidity and muscle spasms. ” as stated by Mayo Clinic (2021).
Vascular dementia is an illness that creates problems with an individual’s mental abilities. It causes
graduals changes and damage to an individual’s brain and it effects an individual’s day to day life.
This type of dementia usually gets worse over time, however, it is possible to help slow it down.
Vascular dementia is caused by reduced blood flow and oxygen to the brain. There are usually 3
ways that this can happen. Firstly, a series of small strokes. This is where ‘tiny but widespread’
damages to the brain affect the cells and nerves. Secondly, a way that blood flow can be reduced to
the brain is by having a full stroke. This is where the blood that is supplied to the brain is cut off, by a
blood clot, for a certain amount of time. This would damage a section of brain cells and eventually
kills them. The last common cause of the blood flow and oxygen being reduced to the brain is
‘narrowing of the small blood vessels’. This happens deep inside the brain.
Vascular dementia has many different symptoms. Most of the symptoms come on gradually,
however there are a couple that appear suddenly and give no indication until they are severe.
Vascular dementia has symptoms that cause problems with the individual’s mental abilities and give
several physical difficulties. Within the early stage of vascular dementia, many individuals experience
slowness of thought and trouble with understanding. This could make the individual feel irritated
and frustrated. Vascular dementia can give an individual problem walking and keeping their own
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