In the past, doctors may have used “senility” to describe dementia, but this use implies that the serious features of dementia are characteristic of old age. In fact, they are not a regular part of aging. Dementia is an umbrella term for a group of medical conditions that each affect the brain in a similar way. These conditions include: Alzheimer's disease & the most common form of dementia. Lewy body dementia vascular dementia frontotemporal dementia Parkinson’s disease dementia Huntington's disease an inherited condition that causes dementia Some people have mixed dementia, meaning that more than one disease causes the symptoms.Most cases of dementia occur in people aged 65 or over. However, younger people can develop it. It is important to highlight that while we, like many people, are referring to dementia,” doctors are now using the term neurocognitive disorder.For example, they may diagnose: major or minor neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimer's disease major or mild neurocognitive disorder with Lewy bodies Senility can be an old-fashioned term for dementia, but using the two interchangeably implies that characteristics of dementia are typical of advancing age which is not true. Dementia is an umbrella term for a group of conditions that affect the ability to think, concentrate, or remember. These conditions are more common in older adults, but they can develop in younger people. Dementia is usually progressive, and there is often no cure, but treatments can slow the rate at which symptoms worsen and reduce their impact. Anyone who believes that they or a loved one has signs of dementia should speak with a doctor. (Credits: www.medicalnewstoday.com)
