It can be distressing to be told that you or a family member have a genetic disorder or are at risk of having one. Genetic counselling provides the person and their family with information about a genetic disorder and its likely impact on their lives. Prenatal genetic counselling is also available for parents to help them decide about a pregnancy that may be at risk of FTDP Too much alcohol, particularly if associated with a diet deficient in thiamine vitamin B1 , can lead to irreversible brain damage.
The most vulnerable parts of the brain are those used for memory and for planning, organising and judgement, social skills and balance. This type of dementia is preventable. The National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia recommends that men and women drink no more than two standard drinks per day to reduce the risk of health problems associated with alcohol.
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is sometimes referred to as alcoholic dementia or alcohol-related dementia, but it is caused by thiamine deficiency rather than being a direct result of alcohol abuse. Alcohol damages the lining of the stomach and affects absorption of vitamins. High doses of thiamine can be used to treat the condition and most symptoms should be reversed. If left untreated, permanent brain damage and death can occur. It usually develops gradually and the damage is mainly to the area of the brain that is important for short-term memory.
Thiamine supplementation may help prevent further brain damage from occurring. HAD is associated with severe cognitive, motor and behavioural problems that impair day-to-day functioning, and reduce independence and quality of life.
Milder forms affect cognitive functions thinking skills such as memory, language, attention and planning , but not to the extent that a diagnosis of dementia is warranted.
In Australia, where most people who are HIV-positive receive treatment with combination antiretroviral therapy, HAD is fortunately uncommon. The term younger-onset dementia is usually used to describe any form of dementia diagnosed in people under the age of 65 years. It is also sometimes called early-onset dementia.
Dementia in younger people is much less common than dementia occurring after the age of 65, but it is sometimes diagnosed in people between the ages of 30 and Younger-onset dementia can be difficult to diagnose and it is not clear how widespread it is. It usually appears between the ages of 30 and 50, and is characterised by intellectual decline and irregular involuntary movement of the limbs or facial muscles. Other symptoms include personality change, memory disturbance, slurred speech, impaired judgement and psychiatric problems.
There is no treatment available to stop the progression of this disease, but medication can control movement disorders and psychiatric symptoms. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease CJD is an extremely rare and fatal brain disorder caused by a protein particle called a prion. It occurs in one in every million people. The two types of CJD are:. Early symptoms include dementia, failing memory, changes of behaviour and lack of coordination. As the disease progresses — usually very rapidly — mental deterioration becomes pronounced, involuntary movements appear and the person may become blind, develop weakness in the arms or legs and, finally, lapse into a coma.
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. Family and friends of people with Alzheimer's disease discuss their experiences and how to recognise the early signs. Participating in suitable activities can help a person with dementia to achieve purpose and pleasure.
When a person is diagnosed with dementia, they are being diagnosed with a set of symptoms. This is similar to someone who has a sore throat. Their throat is sore but it is not known what is causing that particular symptom. It could be allergies, a common cold or strep throat. Similarly, when someone has dementia they are experiencing symptoms without being told what is causing those symptoms.
It is degenerative and incurable at this time. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's or another dementia, you are not alone. The Alzheimer's Association is the trusted resource for reliable information, education, referral and support to millions of people affected by the disease.
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What's the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's disease? With Jonathan Graff-Radford, M. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Types of dementia. Alzheimer's Association. Accessed Jan. What is dementia? Lunde A expert opinion. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Graff-Radford J expert opinion.
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