Dementia is a Syndrome

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Recommended: The function of the brain

The functions of the human brain are extremely fascinating. Each brain structure is responsible for different functions. When these structures are damaged or tampered with, the ability of those functions decline. For example, the cerebellum is responsible for a person’s balance. This is how people are able to walk correctly and maintain proper balance. When a person drinks alcohol, the cerebellum is affected and is not able to function properly. This why people have horrible balance when they are intoxicated. As a person ages, different brain functions can decline. When an elderly person experiences a progressive decline in cognition from a brain disease, they are suffering from dementia. Dementia is commonly referred to incorrectly as a disease. Dementia is a syndrome because it is intertwined with other diseases that cause the decline in cognition. For example, the main cause for dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. This progressive and irreversible syndrome will cause impairments to a person’s personal and social life by impairing orientation, comprehension, calculating ability, and learning capacity. It will also impair language, judgment, reasoning, and information processing. (Ferrara 494) Dementia is a syndrome and not a disease because of the three main causes, the progressive stages, and the acceptable treatments available.
The main causes for dementia fall under three categories; structural causes, infectious causes, and metabolic or toxic causes. Structural causes impact to the brain’s ability to function properly. (Ferrara 495) There are many different types of dementia syndromes that affect different areas of the cerebral cortex. For example, frontotemporal dementia affects the frontal and temporal lobes. Alzheimer’s dis...

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...dementia range from pre-dementia to moderate to advanced dementia. A diagnosis of dementia can be made through examinations, tests, and assessments. Some acceptable treatments from dementia include medical drugs and psychosocial therapies. Since there is not a cure for dementia, psychosocial therapies tend to have more benefits than medical drugs. (Draper 247)

Works Cited

Draper, Brian. Dealing with Dementia. Australia. Allen & Unwin. 2004.
Ferrara, Miranda. Human Disease and Conditions. Detriot: Charles Scribner’s Sons. 2010
Fundukian, Laurie J. The Gale Encyclopedia of Mental Health. 2nd Ed. Vol.1. Detroit: Charles Scribner’s Sons. 2010.
Grossman, Murray. What If It’s Not Alzheimer’s: A Caregiver’s Guide To Dementia. New York: Prometheus Books. 2003.
Whitehouse, Peter. The Myth of Alzheimer’s. New York: Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data. 2008.

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