What is Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) and just how It Is Affecting Individuals Their 50s

Frontotemporal dementia, or FTD, is a neurological disorder centered in the brain’s frontal lobe. Since it affects the frontal lobe, negligence the brain responsible for behavior and emotions, it may cause a person to lose their character traits. 

An estimated 50,000-60,000 people within the U.S. are identified as having this lesser-known dementia. The dpi includes my aunt, who became one of the numerous people identified as having this problem in their 50s. Even people in their 40s could possibly get this ailment. Although this may seem like too young of the age for diagnosis having a disorder that normally affects elderly people, it is occurring in this age bracket and it is certainly impacting their lives.

Symptoms of FTD

FTD is different from Alzheimer’s disease for the reason that it does not affect a person’s memory. Symptoms likely to occur early incorporate a seemingly nonchalant attitude about other's well-being or life generally. Additionally, a person might start to lose feelings of shame, nervousness, or joy. They might start to do stuff that are totally uncharacteristic of their true selves, like laughing at a funeral or constantly leaving the home. FTD leads to a person to lose awareness and interest in their lives, within the lives of their friends, as well as in the planet. As a result of this, FTD could be truly devastating to the person's family, who are able to see how much they have changed.

Why is it More Common in Middle-Aged People?

The causes of dementia in young adults usually do not differ much from those that cause it in older people. There are numerous factors as to why more 50 year-olds get FTD than other types of dementia. It may be hereditary. It can be brought on by diet. Whatever the cause is, the result is the same: a deterioration of that person's character traits.

Three Different Types of FTD

It is important to understand that this disease is composed of three different types. Included in this are behavior variant FTD, progressive nonfluent aphasia, and semantic dementia.  

Each type of this ailment affects different factors from the brain’s frontal lobe. For instance, the behavioral variant FTD causes changes in a person's behavior and personality. This individual will begin to weary in people, things, and other world events. They will also start to develop compulsive behavioral traits.

The progressive nonfluent aphasia form causes changes in speech. This individual will begin to develop slow, hesitant speech patterns and will have issues understanding complex sentences.

The last type of FTD, semantic dementia, involves a lack of recognition of items or objects. This person may begin to have problems choosing the right words when communicating. Somewhat, it might appear like this disease deteriorates the adult mind so much that it begins to resemble a child’s.

Lifestyle Changes That may Slow the Progression

As mentioned earlier, diet can be one of the potential causes of FTD. A healthy diet may be one of the very best ways to slow the advancement of this ailment. Additionally, keeping a healthy cognitive lifestyle with activities for example exercising, reading, writing, or even likely to concerts might help, because these activities challenge the brain and help to keep it working.

Unfortunately, there is currently no remedy for this devastating disease. While there are medications that can help with symptoms like irritability and agitation, living after diagnosis is generally Six to ten years.

FTD impacts the lives of numerous middle-aged Americans, including my aunt. For those who have a family member identified as having this ailment, make an effort to do all you can to seek the perfect care for them and their family.