The word Dementia comes from the Latin and literally means ‘out of one’s mind’. The Romans and the ancient Greeks such as Aristotle and Plato, Hippocrates, Pythagoras and others, thought cerebral atrophy was a natural ‘side effect’ of old age.
Since then, presumed causes, as opposed to contributory factors, seem to have run the gamut from general cerebral atrophy, through possession by the devil – thanks to religious ignorance. Then plaques and tangles (Alzheimer himself) caused by abnormal protein deposits, genetic factors, atherosclerosis or stroke to, more recently, heavy metal toxicity, blood or oxygen starvation and amyloid plaque, a reaction to inflammation. What next, we wonder!
So, like a many-headed Hydra, the dementia syndrome continues to confound the boffins. No sooner do they think they understand exactly what it is, than another couple of monstrous factors rear their ugly heads.
As with the Universe, a true and detailed understanding of the brain continues to elude us. We think we know so much, but in the great scheme, we know so little and overcoming dementia is certainly a Herculean quest.
And what of past treatments? In the Middle Ages, religion frowned on scientific research and many sufferers were subjected to exorcism before being imprisoned in horrendous mental asylums where they were left to die. In the 19thcentury, attitudes changed and patients began to be treated a little more humanely. Nonetheless, ‘treatment’ could include isolation, electric shock, heavy sedation, chains or straitjackets. By the way, in some parts of the world methods such as these endure. Of course, when absolutely necessary, sedation is still practiced if a patient is thought to be out of control. Having witnessed this first-hand, I know that sometimes there is simply no alternative.
We now know that Alzheimer’s is one of several major types under the dementia umbrella, accounting worldwide for, on average, 75% of sufferers, affecting between 5 and 8 out of every 100 people over 60. Other forms include Parkinson’s, Lewy bodies and Huntington’s as well as vascular and frontotemporal dementia. But in a sizeable number of cases it will be so difficult to discern that only an autopsy will confirm which the patient had been suffering from. On the other hand, examination may yield no definite answer whatsoever thereby offering yet another conundrum for researchers to try to resolve.
Because each case is unique, as each person is unique, only the most basic analysis is possible. There are currently around 50 million people in the world with dementia, it affects each one differently. However, as the primary symptoms are pretty much universal, they provide, at least, a simplistic foundation for research concentrating on halting, even reversing deterioration and/or, most ambitiously, finding a cure.
How does this help those of us who are struggling with dementia, either as a carer or sufferer? Well, I think it gives us a kind of hope. As there appear to be no hard and fast rules, we can soldier on determined to make the very best of the situation. After all, our case may be one of those who are able to live a long and relatively contented life and die, with luck, of something else entirely, preferably with the minimum of suffering.
(I will be looking at Contributory Factors in more detail shortly)
Comments
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john newson says
My father died of a vascular dementia, and the Alzheimer’s (presumed, in the absence of an autopsy in her father’s case, while her mother is still alive) of my wife’s parents has dominated our lives for quite a few years, dictating where in the world we needed to live and other fundamentals. My memory ain’t too good these days, so who knows?
John, I feel for you both. It’s very upsetting to see the deterioration and seriously tiring doing all you can to make it less distressing for the sufferer.
Feeling a bit forgetful? If it’s any consolation, my memory isn’t great sometimes, but I work it as hard as I can. Can’t afford not to function well!! Good luck with yours. Keep it busy.
Thank you for sharing.
Hello Sue
My father suffered from severe dementia for the last 6 months of his life, but he died from prostate cancer which had moved into his bones.
We visited him in his carehome on his 88th birthday. The caseworkers said he was the most relaxed that he had been in many days. Although he was confused about who we were he definitely knew we were important to him. He died 12 days after we saw him, whilst in a coma induced by strong medication as he was suffering terribly from the pain of his cancer.
It was of course sad that my father didn’t remember who we were exactly but in some ways his dementia was a blessing as he never knew he was so close to death and I know he had always been afraid of dying.
I am sad that he had to spend the last weeks of his life in a carehome but I was not there to help look after him and my mother felt unable to cope with his memory loss and unpredictable behaviour.
Dear Adrienne, A sad story as the end of a life can so often be. I feel for you all, but think it’s good that you could see the positive side, always a comfort.
By the way, it seems so many people are scared of dying and one wonders what their rationale is. Of course, mostly they wouldn’t want to delve into that.
Thing is, we all have to die sometime, so I think it’s important to come to terms with the idea and choose which point of view we will adopt – blessed oblivion or not???
Love this
My mum chose to die when she knew she was ready ( aged 96 ) luckily she was allowed to do this in Uk with no pain and quietly
Thanks Gail. How great for her and for all the family. That’s the way it should be. I’d like to go like that. I think my father chose to go, just switched off as did a good friend of ours. Both were ’embarking’ on serious heart health problems and just didn’t want to cope with whatever treatments the medics were going to put them through.
We should be allowed the dignity of going when we’re ready.
Thank you Sue. We are all going to experience this soon or later. That’s great you have taken the initiative to set up a group.
What is interesting is that someone said to me it can happen to the cleverest and most intelligent people.
It is indeed likely that dementia is going to enter most of our lives either as a sufferer, carer, family or close friend. DOODAH hopes to help readers prepare and take all the preventative measures they can.
Yes, it seems dementia doesn’t discriminate.