Use of Jelly Drops in Dementia

Introduction:

Dementia is a term used to represent a group of signs affecting memory, thinking, and social abilities severely. The signs and symptoms of dementia are enough to interfere with daily life. Dementia is not a specific disease, but several conditions can lead to dementia. Dementia typically involves loss of memory. Memory loss has various causes. However, memory loss is usually one of the early signs of the condition. Alzheimer's disease is the most definitive cause of progressive dementia in more aged adults, but there are several other reasons for dementia. In addition, some dementia symptoms might be reversible according to the cause. Dementia occurs from various diseases and injuries that predominantly or secondarily affect the brain, like Alzheimer's (a brain condition that affects memory and thinking) or stroke (which occurs when there is an alteration in the brain's blood flow).

What Is Dementia?

Dementia is a syndrome. It is usually a chronic or progressive condition that leads to a decline in cognitive function, called the ability to process thought further what might be expected from the usual effects of biological aging. It involves memory, thinking, orientation, comprehension, calculation, learning capacity, language, and judgment. Dementia will not affect consciousness. The cognitive function impairment is generally accompanied and sometimes preceded by mood changes, emotional control, behavior, or motivation. Dementia has physical, social, psychological, and economic impacts. It is not only for individuals with dementia but also for their caretakers, families, and society. Lack of awareness and understanding of dementia results in stigmatization and obstacles to diagnosis and care. Dementia is now the seventh top cause of death among all diseases. One of the causes of disability and dependence among more senior people worldwide is dementia.

What Are the Causes of Dementia?

Dementia is a late-life disease because it tends to develop primarily in older people, and is not a part of aging.

Dementias are divided into three types:

• Primary dementia - which dementia is the leading illness in the diseases and conditions.

• Secondary dementia - where dementia occurs due to another disease or condition.

• Reversible dementia - which can occur due to various infections.

Primary Dementia

• Alzheimer’s Disease: A common type of dementia.

• Vascular Dementia: Second cause of dementia.

• Lewy Body Dementia: Symptoms like movement and balance problems, sleep pattern change, memory loss, planning, problem-solving difficulties, and visual hallucinations and delusions.

• Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD): This dementia is due to defects in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain.

• Mixed Dementia: It is a combination of more types of dementia.

Other Causes of Dementia Are Mentioned Below:

• Huntington's disease is an inherited condition that results in the breakdown of the brain’s nerve cells.

• Parkinson's disease is a brain disorder characterized by uncontrolled movements like shaking, stiffness, and difficulty in balancing and coordination.

• Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a rare brain condition that results in dementia.

• Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a rare memory condition caused due to lack of vitamin B1.

• Traumatic brain injury.

Reversible Causes of Dementia Are Mentioned Below:

• Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), is a brain condition that results in thinking and reasoning problems, difficulty in walking, and reduced bladder control.

• Vitamin deficiency (vitamin B1, B6, B12, and E).

• Infections such as HIV (human immune deficiency virus) infection, syphilis (bacterial infection caused due to sexual contact), and Lyme disease (bacterial infection).

• Addison's disease, also called a s adrenal insufficiency, is a condition caused due to lack of certain hormones.

• Cushing's disease caused due to excessive cortisol hormone levels in the long term.

• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

• Heavy metals like arsenic or mercury exposure.

• Hyperparathyroidism is an increased level of parathyroid hormone in the blood.

• Liver cirrhosis (liver damage).

• Thyroid problems.

• Some side effects of sleeping pills, antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, anti-epileptic drugs, antiparkinson drugs, narcotic pain relievers, statins, nonbenzodiazepine sedatives, and others.

• Brain tumors.

• Subdural hematomas (bleeding between the brain's surface and the covering).

What Are the Symptoms of Dementia?

The signs and symptoms of dementia include early symptoms and severe symptoms. Some of the signs and symptoms of dementia are mentioned below.

Early Symptoms of Dementia Include:

• Forgetting.

• Repeating comments or questions.

• Misplacing used items or putting them in unusual spots.

• Forgetting the season, year, or month.

• Need help coming up with the right words.

• Change in mood, behavior, or interests.

In Severe Cases, the Symptoms of Dementia Are Mentioned Below:

• The inability to remember and make decisions.

• Talking and finding words is more difficult.

• Brushing my teeth, making coffee, working a TV remote, cooking, and paying bills has become more complex.

• Diminishing rational thinking and behavior.

• Inability in problem-solving.

• The sleeping pattern will be changed.

• Worsening of anxiety, confusion, frustration, agitation, suspiciousness, sadness, and depression.

• Needing more help for daily routines like grooming, toileting, bathing, and eating.

• Hallucinations, seeing people or objects that are not there.

These are general symptoms, and each person diagnosed with dementia has different symptoms, depending on the damaged area of their brain. Additional signs and unusual symptoms occur with specific types of dementia.

How to Diagnose Dementia?

A dementia diagnosis is difficult. Early and proper diagnosis is made. Most of the symptoms of dementia are common in other conditions, so dementia must not be misdiagnosed. The following are the various diagnostic tools for the diagnosis of dementia.

• History of the patient.

• History of the symptoms.

• Medical history.

• Family history.

• Laboratory tests.

• Cerebrospinal fluid tests.

• Imaging tests include computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

• Neurocognitive testing evaluates the abilities like Problem-solving, Learning, Judgment, Memory, Planning, Reasoning, and Language.

• Psychiatric evaluation.

How Are Dehydration and Dementia Related?

Dehydration is a common challenge with older people, especially those affected by dementia. This can cause early death and lower quality of life. People affected by dementia can easily forget to consume water. In people with dementia, the part of the brain which sends signals to recognize that the person is dehydrated and thirsty and does not work all the time properly. Certain medications and dementia-associated conditions can worsen dehydration.

What Are the Effects of Dehydration?

Without the proper amount of water intake, the body can react badly. Some effects of reduced water intake are

• Headaches.

• Urinary tract infection.

• Increased confusion.

• Constipation.

What Are Jelly Drops?

Lewis Hornby invented jelly drops and was inspired to create water sweets after his grandma Pat, who had dementia and struggled to hydrate. Jelly drops are sweets prepared to increase hydration. They are 95 % water, sugar-free, and vegan, with added electrolytes. These electrolytes enhance the hydration level of the sweets too. With a tremendous solid but smooth surface, jelly drops sweets do not have a liquid center, encouraging separate hydration for all through a tasty snack. However, These sweets are suggested as a supplement to everyday water intake, not to replace it. Jelly drops are not advised for people with swallowing difficulties or suspected problems.

What Are the Ingredients Present in Jelly Drop?

• Water.

• Maltodextrin.

• Gellan gum.

• Xanthan gum.

• Locust bean gum.

• Acacia gum.

• Agar-agar.

• Dextrin.

• Citric acid.

• Malic acid.

• Potassium sorbate.

• Natural flavors.

• Black carrot juice.

• Turmeric.

• Spirulina extract.

• Salt.

• Potassium chlorate.

• Sodium benzoate.

• Trisodium citrate.

• Sucralose.

How Does Jelly Drop Help People Affected by Dementia?

A major problem faced by people affected by dementia is dehydration due to improper food and water intake. Jelly drops help people with dementia by ensuring proper hydration without compromising their taste. Jelly drops are small candies that provide the required hydration to older people especially those with dementia. They also help people who dislike the flavors present in the water and those living in a care home where they are dependent on the staff to provide them with water. People with swallowing difficulties are not recommended to take jelly drops.

How People Affected With Dementia, Remember to Eat Jelly Drops?

Jelly drops are so appealing due to their shape and bright colors. They are designed to make it easy for a person affected by dementia to pick one from the box. The look, texture, and taste are the ultimate result that works for people with dementia.

Conclusion:

Dementia is a syndrome affecting the individual's memory, most commonly observed in older adults. The causes of dementia may vary and are sometimes reversible. Alzheimer's disease is a common condition with dementia as a critical factor. People affected by dementia have a higher risk of dehydration due to improper water consumption. Jelly drops, the award-winning sweets, are developed by Lewis Hornby to improve hydration in people with dementia. In addition to daily water intake, jelly drops can also boost hydration.