Dementia is a neurodegenerative disorder that commonly develops as people get older. The most common type of dementia in the United Kingdom is Alzheimer's disease.
Dementia causes memory loss as well as changes in how a person thinks, behaves, feels, and speaks. Anyone who worries that they might be developing dementia should immediately consult a doctor. Diagnosing the condition early is crucial for early treatment to slow down its development.
But can someone with dementia die from the condition?
Later Stages of Dementia
When the person with dementia enters the advanced stage (also known as the later stage), Dementia Australia's website said that the patient would experience a progressive memory loss. This is stressful for the family and the patient's caregivers because the patient may fail to recognize close family members.
Also, they might experience a loss of physical abilities wherein they will gradually lose their ability to walk, dress, feed, and wash. Not to mention, other illnesses like arthritis and stroke might also affect them and end up being bedridden.
As the patient no longer recognizes close family members, they also gradually lose their ability to communicate. They will have a hard time understanding what is being said to them or the things that are happening in their environment. That is why doctors advise family members to continue communicating with them.
Lastly, the patient will also have problems eating during this stage and will gradually lose weight. People with dementia forget how to eat or drink, or sometimes may not be able to recognize the food presented to them. Also, they could develop difficulties in swallowing which will affect their nutrition so providing supplements should be considered.
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Can You Die From Dementia?
Although dementia is often listed as the cause of death, Express reported that the condition is not fatal and terminal. However, a patient who enters the advanced stages of dementia could experience several medical complications that might lead to death.
These conditions include urinary tract infections and pneumonia. At the same time, some patients may also develop difficulty in swallowing, which leads to significant weight loss, dehydration, and inevitably malnutrition.
All these complications could put the person at risk for more infections, or they could die from a blood clot in the lungs due to the lack of movement. Meanwhile, some patients also develop pneumonia because of swallowing difficulties.
According to Charity Marie Curie, there are some symptoms that might indicate that a dementia patient might be nearing their end. Like experiencing limited speech, eating less due to swallowing difficulties, needing help with everyday activities, and becoming bedridden.
These symptoms combined with frailty and recurrent infections tell that a patient is nearing the end of their life. More so, if this person has cancer because it can worsen their condition.
READ MORE: Scientists Invented a Wearable Device That Can Prevent Alzheimer's Disease
Check out more news and information on Dementia in Science Times.
