We Are More Than What We Remember: An Insight Into Dementia

Memories, one can say, are timeless. They give meaning to our existence and define who we are. Our memories link our past with our present, helping us shape our future. They give us an enduring sense of identity, a strong sense of who we are, and what matters in life. If a person is to be robbed of his or her memories, not only will it be an emotionally devastating experience for the person affected, but it also takes a painful toll on families and caregivers who have to witness what they see as the gradual loss of their loved one while the person is still alive. Awareness about disorders that can affect one’s memory is important in terms of not only protecting oneself from developing such conditions but also learning how to “live with the disease” if one is affected.

- Dr Imalsha Premaratne

WHAT IS “DEMENTIA”?

Dementia is not a specific disease; it’s rather a broad term that encompasses the impairment of not only one’s memory but also the ability to think, reason and make rational decisions. It can range from mild impairment of cognition to severest of stages where one loses awareness of their surroundings and their ability to identify self and others, ultimately leading to marked changes in personality and behaviour.

Dementia can affect anyone, irrespective of gender, status and where one is from. There are over fifty million people living with dementia at present and someone somewhere in the world develops it every three seconds. This makes it one of the major causes of disability and dependency, particularly among older people worldwide.

Though dementia is primarily a disorder of older people, it is not considered a part of normal ageing. Its cause, if simply stated, is damage to brain cells, which interferes with their ability to communicate with each other. There are many different types of dementias, classified based on how they are caused, what part of the brain is affected and whether or not they are reversible. Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, frontotemporal dementia and Prion disease are among the major causes. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia worldwide, accounting for sixty to seventy per cent of all cases.

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE