MBOMBELA – In South Africa, misconceptions still abound about dementia. Dr Jeremy Isaacs, a consultant neurologist from St George’s Hospital in London, UK, aimed to set the record straight during a lecture at Kuzuri Restaurant on November 9. The event was organised by Alzheimer’s Mpumalanga.
Isaacs said the symptoms of dementia are forgetfulness, disorientation, word-finding problems, a change in personality and reduced motivation, as well as a decline in functioning. The most-common dementia illness is Alzheimer’s. Isaacs was excited as he believed a major breakthrough was likely to occur in the next 10 years in the treatment of the disease.
“Dementia is common with increasing age. When making a diagnosis, the informant’s history taking is the basis of the diagnosis.”
According to Isaacs cognitive tests needed to be culturally appropriate, and tests to determine a language decline could not be just transposed from one language to another.
“CT brain scans are sufficient for most patients for a diagnosis,” he said. “Measuring cognition is complex. Tests have usually been ‘normed’ in North American or European populations. Our standard tests are not culturally appropriate for people in Sub-Saharan Africa.”
He explained their studies done in Khayelitsha showed 28 per cent of people thought dementia was associated with witchcraft. Eighteen per cent thought it a punishment from ancestors and 14 per cent regarded it a punishment from God. Another 15 per cent believed traditional healers could cure the disease.
Isaacs said not all dementia is preventable . “If you have more education then your brain is more resilient.” He added that vascular health definitely influenced the dementia risk.
“There is a lot of interest currently in the Mediterranean diet. The high level of olive oil, legumes, nuts and unrefined cereals with moderate intake of fish, dairy and red wine, seem to help in the prevention of the disease.
“Pharmacological management of dementia is limited at the moment, but anti-psychotic medication should be a last resort.” Isaacs added that social and emotional support for patients and carers and good care planning were much more important.
Enquiries: Alzheimer’s Mpumalanga on 013-752-3578.
Read more here: Creating awareness is the priority for Alzheimer’s Mpumalanga
