With disease progression, and commonly in the moderate to severe stages of the illness, people with dementia often lose the ability to control their bladder function, referred to as urinary incontinence.Cognitive code learning theory however, urinary incontinence that occurs early in the disease, or that occurs suddenly at any stage, could be associated with a bladder, or urinary tract infection (UTI).Cognitive code learning theory

UTIs are very common in older females and the person with dementia may not be able to complain about frequently associated symptoms such as pain and burning with urination.Cognitive code learning theory caregivers should ensure that a UTI is ruled-out with a simple test of the urine, because utis can also cause delirium in the person with dementia, leading to acute and dramatic changes in cognition and behaviour.Cognitive code learning theory

Treatment of utis with antibiotics is also simple and straightforward and can lead quickly to improvements in symptoms including both the incontinence and the dementia.Cognitive code learning theory besides utis, there are many other causes of urinary incontinence that may require medical treatment. Again, caregivers should not necessarily consider this a sign of dementia progression, but rather should seek prompt medical attention.Cognitive code learning theory

Parkinsonism, or symptoms of parkinson’s disease, include tremor (shaking), stiffness/rigidity, and unsteadiness. These symptoms can worsen function and lead to falls.Cognitive code learning theory the relationship between dementia and parkinsonian symptoms is extremely complicated, because patients with parkinson’s disease can also have cognitive impairment and dementia (referred to as parkinson’s disease dementia).Cognitive code learning theory prominent parkinson’s symptoms are also a part of another common dementia called dementia with lewy bodies. Furthermore, patients with alzheimer’s disease can have mild parkinson’s symptoms, which become more common in the advanced stages of the illness.Cognitive code learning theory

Finally, there are a number of medications that can cause parkinson’s symptoms. This is a particularly common side-effect of the antipsychotics, which are used to treat agitation and aggression in persons with dementia.Cognitive code learning theory depending on the cause of the parkinsonism, the symptoms may be more or less treatable, but caregivers should always be aware of these symptoms and report them to the treating physician because it’s important to diagnose and in terms of quality of life.Cognitive code learning theory seizures

Seizures in patients with dementia can be caused by many conditions including strokes (either brain blood vessel blockage or bleeding), brain tumours, fever, infection, head injuries and medications.Cognitive code learning theory about 10% of patients with alzheimer’s disease will have a seizure, usually in the moderate to severe stages of the illness with no obvious cause being found, and likely due to the brain degeneration.Cognitive code learning theory

All persons with dementia who have a first seizure should be investigated for potentially treatable conditions. Seizures associated with progressive alzheimer’s disease may not recur and may not require treatment with anti-epileptic drugs.Cognitive code learning theory finally, people with long-standing epilepsy treated with anti-epileptic drugs who develop cognitive impairment and dementia may require reassessment of the doses and type of drug used, as these medications can be associated with prominent negative cognitive effects.Cognitive code learning theory

Good general medical care is synonymous with good dementia care. People with dementia should be monitored regularly by their primary care physician, and any significant change in their condition should be brought to the attention of the physician by the caregiver, and investigated and treated appropriately.Cognitive code learning theory it is only with excellent medical care, that we can optimize the cognition, function, behaviour and quality of life of the person with dementia.Cognitive code learning theory