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Phase 2- Mental Health > Dementia > Flashcards

Flashcards in Dementia Deck (14)
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1
Q

What is dementia?

A

An organic impairment of cognitive function and personality without impairment of consciousness. It is due to degenerative brain changes and so cannot be reversed.

2
Q

What is the most common type of dementia?

A

Alzheimer’s disease

3
Q

What are the potential causes of dementia?

A

Genetic
Vascular –> smoking, alcohol, obesity, high cholesterol, hypertension
Nutritional –> diet high in saturated fats
Lower education
Poor social network

4
Q

Give examples of protective factors for dementia

A

Vitamin A and E, vegetables, fish, sports, walking, reading, knitting, gardening, dancing, complex work

5
Q

What are the symptoms of dementia?

A
Memory loss
Loss of language 
Apraxia (lose ability to do skilled motor movements)
Agnosia (cannot recognise things)
Personality and behavioural changes
Psychotic symptoms
Seizures and myoclonic jerks
6
Q

What are the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease?

A

Memory loss, dysphagia, dyspraxia, wandering behaviour, apathy, psychotic symptoms

7
Q

What are the symptoms of vascular dementia?

A

Gait disturbance, personality change, labile mood, urinary frequency, preserved insight

8
Q

What are the symptoms of Lewy body dementia?

A

Fluctuating dementia, delirium like stages, parkinsonism, visual hallucinations,

9
Q

What are the symptoms of Huntington’s disease?

A

Schizophrenia like psychosis, choreiform movements, depression, irritability

10
Q

What are the symptoms of frontotemporal lobe dementia/

A

Stereotyped behaviours, personality change, loss of insight, expressive dysphasia, memory relatively preserved

11
Q

Why should antipsychotics not be used in Lewy body dementia?

A

Increased risk of stroke and sudden death

12
Q

How is dementia managed conservatively?

A
Good sleep pattern 
Prevent wandering 
Regular exercise
Toilet routine
Community support
Keep familiar environment
13
Q

How is dementia managed psychologically?

A

Art therapy, music therapy, memory training, reminiscence therapy

14
Q

How is dementia managed medically?

A

Analgesia
Treat infections
Treat depression
Can use sedatives if the patient is aggressive