Cognitive Disorders

There are many different types of cognitive disorders and the type of condition will determine the cause and treatment of the disorder. In some cases, the patient can be effectively treated, while other situations require careful and prolonged management of the condition.

Delirium
Delirium is a cognitive disorder that will most likely develop quickly and can come and go in terms of intensity. It is caused by a disturbance in the brain that affects its ability to function properly. In many cases, it is completely reversible with the help of treatment for the underlying cause. Symptoms of delirium may include:

• Changes in alertness, perception and level of consciousness
• Confusion and disorganized thinking
• Impaired memory
• Hallucinations or illusions
• Abrupt changes in mood
• Impairment of speech or language

In many cases, delirium is considered an urgent medical condition, since early treatment will usually result in a better prognosis. In some cases, treating the underlying medical condition will be sufficient in relieving symptoms of delirium.

Multi-Infarct Dementia
Multi-infarct dementia, also known as MID, is a cognitive disorder caused by a series of strokes that gradually destroy brain tissue. In some cases, the strokes will occur without detection until the deterioration of brain function becomes obvious. Some symptoms of multi-infarct dementia include:

• Confusion
• Short-term memory impairment
• Impaired walking
• Getting lost in familiar places
• Inappropriate reactions, such as laughing or crying
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Difficult following instructions

There is no treatment for damage to the brain that has already occurred. However, a diagnosis of multi-infarct dementia can help doctors slow the progression by preventing future strokes.

Dementia Associated with Alcoholism
Heavy alcohol consumption over a number of years can result in dementia associated with alcoholism. This mental disorder is a result of damage to the brain caused by frequent and long term alcohol intake. Symptoms of dementia associated with alcoholism may include:

• Confusion and poor thought processing
• Short and long-term memory impairment
• Asking the same question over and over again
• Episodes of paranoia or intense fear

If dementia associated with alcoholism is diagnosed early, symptoms can often be stopped and reversed.

Dementia of the Alzheimer's Type
Dementia of the Alzheimer's type may be the mental disorder that people are most familiar with. Although this condition is not caused by the aging process, it is more prevalent in patients as they age. Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include:

• Persistent memory impairment that worsens in time
• Inability to use the right words to express thoughts
• An inability to keep track of time, including dates
• Getting lost, even in familiar surroundings
• Difficulty making decisions and performing tasks

There is no cure for dementia of the Alzheimer's type, but there are effective ways of managing the condition and improving the quality of life for those who are diagnosed.

Dementia
Dementia is not a specific condition, but rather an assortment of symptoms that can be classified as a number of different mental disorders. The cause of dementia is deterioration or destruction of brain cells, but the reason for the deterioration may vary. Many mental functions can be affected by dementia, including memory, reasoning and basic thought processes.

There is no cure for most forms of memory loss, but if symptoms are caught early, some treatment options can help to slow the progression of the disease. These might include mental enhancement herbs and cognitive training that teaches tools like mnemonics and note taking to improve memory function.

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