Doctors use the term dementia to describe the process that occurs when the brain of an individual ceases to work properly. When the condition does occur, the individuals affected start becoming confused and forgetful. Although many people tend to get confused and become forgetful as they grow older, this is exacerbated many times over in those who have dementia. These people may forget how to do simple everyday things such as brushing their teeth or getting dressed.

Dementia

There are other symptoms which indicate the condition in people, such as changes in the personality or not being able to think properly, and as the condition gets worse their behavior can start to change as well. They could start getting upset for no reason or they may start to become aggressive, this is why looking after someone with dementia can be a very hard job.

There are a few types of dementia known today, with the most common ones being Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia and Lewy bodies. Although there are no cures for the various types of dementia at the moment, they can be treated to alleviate problems with the memory and other types of symptoms.

The condition can also be very distressing for the close family and friends of the sufferer as they see them gradually deteriorate and for all intents and purposes become a stranger. It is also exhausting work trying to care for them, despite all the good intentions.

Anemia occurs when a person’s red blood cell count falls under normal numbers. Red blood cells in the body are responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs so when these numbers start to fall, an anemic person may start to feel tired and lethargic due to a lack of oxygen.

There are many causes of anemia and for a doctor or physician to treat it, the cause has to be known. Some of the most common causes of the condition include iron deficiency, blood loss, disease, poor diet and reaction to certain medications or medical procedures.

If someone contracts anemia, they could have it in either mild or severe form, as well as having a temporary or chronic anemic condition. In the very serious cases it can create such oxygen deficiency in the body’s organs that it can lead to heart attacks and death. Symptoms of the condition could initially be unnoticeable but obviously increase as the condition gets worse. Some of these symptoms include dizziness, confusion, fatigue, tiredness, headaches and paleness.

Of all the types of anemia around, the most common are the result of iron deficiency. Therefore, the people most at risk are women that suffer from heavy periods, women that are pregnant and people that suffer from internal bleeding due to a variety of conditions.

Symptoms of Anemia

Anemia can be treated, depending on the initial cause. These treatments could be something as simple as dietary changes and exercise or at the other end of the scale, injections or blood transfusions.

Restless legs can affect movement and sleep.  A person with restless legs has an uncontrollable urge to move their legs; the condition is more common in women and it is also known to affect people more as they age.

The severity of symptoms can vary from person to person.  Symptoms can be quite mild or very debilitating although it is not life threatening. These can include an urge to move the legs, disturbed sleep or trouble getting to sleep, uncontrolled jerking of the legs or unpleasant feelings deep in the legs.

Symptoms usually occur at night when the body is at rest.  People have described feelings like prickling itching or tingling which can be relieved momentarily by movement.

The two types of restless legs syndrome are primary restless syndrome and secondary restless leg syndrome.  Primary restless legs syndrome can begin at any age but usually occurs in early adulthood.  It occurs naturally and is usually mild to begin with but symptoms can increase and become more severe in later life.

Secondary restless legs syndrome is normally a result of another condition such as kidney failure, alcoholism, pregnancy or iron deficiency anemia.  Antidepressants and antipsychotics have also been known to worsen the symptoms.

Restless Legs

Lifestyle changes can help with mild cases of restless legs syndrome but for more severe cases this can be treated with a mixture of lifestyle changes and medication. Lifestyle changes can include avoiding caffeine, tobacco and alcohol, increasing exercise early in the day, creating a regular sleeping pattern and avoiding any medication which can increase symptoms. Taking a hot bath in the evening can also help to relieve symptoms as can stretching the limbs.