Dementia is a term that covers over 100 illnesses and disease symptoms

What is dementia?

Dementia, which is not part of the natural ageing process, affects the brain, making it harder to remember things or think as clearly as before.

It’s an umbrella term for more than 100 different types of illnesses and disease symptoms, and it’s possible to have more than one type.

Symptoms of dementia may include memory loss and difficulties with day-to-day tasks, language and problem-solving.

What all these diseases have in common is that they damage brain cells, so that the brain cannot work as well as it should.

Dementia can affect every area of human thinking, feeling and behaviour, but each person with dementia is different, and how the illness affects someone depends on which area of their brain is damaged.

In Scotland, more than 90,000 people have dementia. It is most common in older people, but affects some in their 40s and 50s – or even younger.

Alzheimer’s disease is among the most common, affecting more than half of the people in Scotland who have dementia. It gradually destroys brain cells and their connections and affects how the person copes with everyday tasks.

Vascular dementia is caused by problems with the blood supply to brain cells. It can involve tiny strokes which damage small areas of the brain.

Dementia with Lewy Bodies is a common form of dementia, but many have never heard of it.

The person’s short-term memory may not be affected to begin with and their abilities may vary from day to day. Symptoms may include hallucinations and fluctuating cognition.

In frontotemporal dementias, the parts of the brain responsible for decision-making, control of behaviour and emotion and language are affected.

Charity Alzheimer Scotland says the earlier one gets a diagnosis of dementia, the sooner the person can start to come to terms with the illness, make plans for the future, and access support and services that can help.

Someone who has been told that they have dementia may feel shock, disbelief and even relief.

Alzheimer Scotland’s freephone 24- hour Dementia Helpline is available on 0808 808 3000 for information, support and advice.