The problem is more in rural areas where there are
not enough medical facilities available for timely diagnosis
New Delhi, 01
August 2017: According to statistics from a recent research,
more than 4 million Indians above the age of 60 suffer from dementia. Add
to this the fact that about 1 in 16 households with an elderly person have a
dementia patient. However, many people fail to recognize and understand the
symptoms, says the IMA. In approximately 70% of the population in rural areas
as well, dementia remains unrecognized and this can be largely attributed to
limited medical facilities.
Dementia is a
general term for a decline in mental ability. This can become severe enough to
interfere with daily life. Memory loss is an example. Alzheimer's is the most
common type of dementia. Dementia is an umbrella term describing a wide range
of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills. These
can later become severe enough to reduce a person's ability to perform everyday
activities.
Speaking
about this, Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, National President Indian
Medical Association (IMA) and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI)
and Dr RN Tandon – Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement,
said, “Lack of awareness about dementia is a major reason why those who
experience forgetfulness, confusion, or difficulty in doing something do not
consult doctors. There are also those individuals who may not choose to talk
about it considering it shameful or a normal part of the ageing process.
Dementia is caused by a damage to brain cells which further interferes with
their ability to communicate with each other. This can affect thinking,
behavior, and feelings in those with this condition. Dementia in most cases is
not reversible but medication can provide some relief to the symptoms. At
times, symptoms may appear due to reversible problems like vitamin or hormone
deficiencies. These can be treated with timely consultation.”
While
symptoms of dementia vary in people, there are some basic signs which are
significant in the diagnosis of dementia: loss of memory, problems with
communication and language, decreased ability to focus and pay attention,
impaired reasoning and judgment, and decreased visual perception.
Adding
further, Dr Aggarwal, said, “Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is the
most widely used cognitive test for dementia. The examination takes
approximately 7 minutes to complete. It tests a broad range of cognitive
functions including orientation, recall, attention, calculation, language
manipulation, and constructional praxis. A total maximal score on the MMSE is
30 points. A score of less than 24 points is suggestive of dementia or
delirium. t is also recommended that people with dementia be screened for
depression because it is a common treatable co-morbidity that may also
masquerade as dementia.”
Although
there is no specific way to prevent dementia, following a healthy lifestyle can
help lower the risk. The following steps can be taken towards this direction.
- Consume a healthy diet
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Indulge in regularly physical activity
- Do not consume alcohol in excess
- Quit smoking right away
- Maintain a healthy blood pressure level
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