Severe forms of dementia - World Health Organisation

The majority of countries in the world are not serious enough about formulating appropriate policies for a disease known as dementia. Only 62 countries in the world have collected data on these patients, of which 56 percent are in the high-income group, 42 percent are in the low - and middle-group. The number of dementia patients in the world is expected to reach 78 million by 2030. A recent report by the World Health Organisation ( WHO ) has revealed this.

Dementia is mainly found in the elderly. There are currently 55 million dementia patients in the world. Alzheimer's is a major symptom of dementia, affecting about 60 to 70 percent of patients.

Symptoms may include some degree of forgetfulness in the early stages - a lack of comprehension of time, or confusion in the usual familiar places. In the second stage, forgetfulness of names, persons, confusion, obstacles in communication appear. Patients with third - and severe-stage dementia experience inability to perform daily tasks.

Information on the global burden of dementia is being compiled as part of the World Health Organisation's 2025 Action plan on dementia. Dementia is the seventh leading cause of death in the world, follow by disability or paralysis. Along with these patients, his family and friends also face the socio-economic and psychologibcal consequences of this disease.

Dementia results in a different pattern in each patient. After the third stage, the rate of forgetfulness becomes severe, as well as complete paralysis. The World Health Organisation has said that early diagnosis and appropriate medication can help curb the spread of the disease .