News – Definition of Dementia

• An aquired complex of intellectual deterioration which affects at least two areas
of cognitive function.
• A syndrome, not a diagnosis.
• In the past, commonly referred to as senility or ‘hardening of the arteries’.

Dementia refers to an acquired persistent loss of intellectual functions due to a brain disorder. This is not a normal part of the ageing process, even though the vast majority of persons who experience dementia are persons over the age of
65 years of age. Dementia is really a broad, umbrella term. A medical diagnosis
is required to determine the underlying cause or causes of symptoms.

In the past, terms like ‘senility’ and ‘hardening of the arteries’ were commonly used to describe dementia but do not accurately explain the disease processes
at work.

Dementia – Brain Failure
There are 2 basic types:
• Reversible dementias
• Irreversible dementias All dementias are treatable to a degree.

We are familiar with terms like congestive heart failure, liver failure and kidney failure. When the brain fails to do its work, dementia is the appropriate term.
There are dozens of causes for dementia, some that are reversible through
proper treatment, some that can be stabilised and others that are irreversible
and progressive.

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