Delirium and Dementia PDF

11/20/23, 1:24 PM Realizeit for Student Delirium is demonstrated by a disturbance of consciousness accompanied by a change in cognition and confusion. Dementia is a syndrome usually of a chronic or progressive nature, caused by a variety of brain illnesses that affect behavior, memory, thinking, a...

11/20/23, 1:24 PM Realizeit for Student Delirium is demonstrated by a disturbance of consciousness accompanied by a change in cognition and confusion. Dementia is a syndrome usually of a chronic or progressive nature, caused by a variety of brain illnesses that affect behavior, memory, thinking, and the ability to perform everyday activities. It is not a single disease, but a condition characterized by a permanent decrease in intellectual functioning. It is not only a decrease in memory but problems with language, judgment, problem solving, and comprehension. Dementia results in a continuous decline in thinking, behavioral and social skills that disrupts a person's ability to function independently. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause and type of dementia. Acetylcholine, a chemical produced by the nerves in the brain, is associated with transmission of impulses between nerve cells and allows proper brain functioning. Dementia is associated with a decline in the amount of acetylcholine, which results in a decreased ability of the body to transmit impulses between brain cells. Alzheimer's disease develops slowly, beginning with mild memory problems and advances to severe brain damage caused by an alternation in the brain's structure, including a decrease in the chemicals in the brain and a destruction of nerves vital to cognitive function. The progression of the disease is variable with each patient. Alzheimer's disease can continue to progress for up to 20 years, and patients live on average for eight to ten years after diagnosis. Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease. Vascular dementia often occurs after a stroke and affects the part of the brain that was damaged. The part of the brain that was not damaged by the stroke often remains unaffected. Vascular dementia affects 15-20% of patients with dementia and often co-exists with Alzheimer’s. https://herzing.realizeithome.com/RealizeitApp/Student.aspx?Token=0Dn26kXyU%2f6F5gOCz4%2f2IRRZhf6wZUM1hsd5PhoNXjWMP82nkYFrtTh%2bXN7e3r9… 1/1