From ABC, October 11, 2006
Brain fluid draining eases dementia: research
Researchers at the Launceston General Hospital in Tasmania have made a breakthrough in the treatment of dementia.
Results of a recent study indicate one form of dementia could be effectively treated by draining excess fluid from the brain.
The study investigated 20 patients diagnosed with a condition which leads to progressive deterioration in mental functioning, a loss of balance and incontinence.
The director of the hospital's Dementia Research Centre, Dr George Razay, says for the majority of patients, the surgery was a success.
"The results have revealed a significant improvement in their physical and mental function in that 71 per cent of our patients improved in memory and mental function and 94 per cent improved in balance and walking," he said.
From: Family Doctor Org
What are some common signs of dementia?
Dementia causes many problems for the person who has it and for the person's family. Many of the problems are caused by memory loss. Some common signs of dementia are listed below. Not everyone who has dementia will have all of these signs.
Recent memory loss. All of us forget things for a while and then remember them later. People with dementia often forget things, but they never remember them. They might ask you the same question over and over, each time forgetting that you've already given them the answer. They won't even remember that they already asked the question.
Difficulty performing familiar tasks. People who have dementia might cook a meal but forget to serve it. They might even forget that they cooked it.
Problems with language. People who have dementia may forget simple words or use the wrong words. This makes it hard to understand what they want.
Time and place disorientation. People who have dementia may get lost on their own street. They may forget how they got to a certain place and how to get back home.
Poor judgment. Even a person who doesn't have dementia might get distracted. But people who have dementia can forget simple things, like forgetting to put on a coat before going out in cold weather.
Problems with abstract thinking. Anybody might have trouble balancing a checkbook, but people who have dementia may forget what the numbers are and what has to be done with them.
Misplacing things. People who have dementia may put things in the wrong places. They might put an iron in the freezer or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl. Then they can't find these things later.
Changes in mood. Everyone is moody at times, but people with dementia may have fast mood swings, going from calm to tears to anger in a few minutes.
Personality changes. People who have dementia may have drastic changes in personality. They might become irritable, suspicious or fearful.
Loss of initiative. People who have dementia may become
I find most of the points so obvious that I must be a sufferer.( and so are a lot of other people I know.)Happy said:Most points are fairly obvious, and most of them used in ‘Mother and Son’ serial
Is different to keys left in different room than usual.iron in the freezer
I have a frig next to a clothes dryer in the laundry. Once I tried to put clothes in the frig before I woke up to what I was doing. Does this mean I'm already on the way to dementia???Happy said:I watched an interview with doctor who pointed out the differences between dementia sufferers and normal forgetfulness.
Misplacing things is not always caused by dementia, but as stated above
Is different to keys left in different room than usual.
Also forgetting where is the tool, is also different to forgetting what the tool is for.
I have a frig next to a clothes dryer in the laundry
NB: last post was in 2006
Mum-of-two diagnosed with dementia - at the age of 29 - Parentdish UK
http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2013/10...d=maing-grid7|ukt3|dl11|sec1_lnk2&pLid=213604
Dementia's youngest victims defy stereotypes - Health - Alzheimer's Disease | NBC News
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/46838410/...ungest-victims-defy-stereotypes/#.Uk_xPJYnDXs
Not enough awareness of so many afflictions. We are flesh and bone that ages though so something has to give eventually.you know that the awareness of Dementia is very poor.
Just last week, I was asked to join a Focus group. I think the awareness of what Dementia is and how to recognise it is very poor in general.
Not enough awareness of so many afflictions. We are flesh and bone that ages though so something has to give eventually.
So did you go to that meet or did you ............................not go?
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