Marketing plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 3

Marketing plan - Essay Example It comprises of a careful mix or composition of all the ingredients that help cure hangovers. The company has its headquarters located in the United States of America. The management comprises of five individuals with employees being fifteen in number. Our mission is to give our customers a sensational feeling that connects fun to the real world without jeopardizing any other operations. Since our existence, we have cherished and valued the sober state of individuals as being the most productive state and we seek to maintain that feeling and effect even after wild parties in the most convenient and enjoyable way. The idea is to generate interesting content easily spread on the canvas because of their interest. The consumer must obviously be the main actor of this content in which it participates since it is a new product Second, it is to create content only interesting but also related to business objective. It must also be consistent with the brand image and value of Hang Down Ultimate Drink. Finally, it must meet the expectations of consumers of the beverage. As we have already noted above, social networks are the ideal place to foster dialogue with consumers. This not helps to enhance the words of the consumers but also to collect valuable information about expectations, desires, disappointments consumer. Generate conversations is also the perfect way to â€Å"humanize† the brand and its values The economic situation of the world depends on the American dollar and how it trades in the market determines the revenue rates that the company receives. Moreover, the existence of an economically sound environment boosts and promotes trade in various parts where the company has set various outlets. The law has a high influence over the operation of the company. It is responsible for ensuring that a healthy competitive business environment

The Main Causes of World War I. (Militarism, Alliances Imperialism and Research Paper

The Main Causes of World War I. (Militarism, Alliances Imperialism and Nationalism) - Research Paper Example The street celebrations that accompanied the war declaration between French and British gave historians the impression that the move was really popular. Politicians, known to follow the popular side were in support of this move. Historians yet believe that the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, the heir of the Serbian empire sparked war between the Austria-Hungary, which prompted the allied nations to join. The First World War having started in Central Europe, begun in 1914 and ended in 1918. During its progression time, it rapidly spread to other parts of the world and involved many countries. The war that had devastating effects is believed to have been caused by a number of reasons according to historians. However, they anonymously agree on the four major causes of the war which include Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism and Nationalism. This paper will look at these four as the major causes of World War I and their effects to the fighting nations. Imperialism Various scholars a ttribute the start of World War 1 to imperialism that was sparked in the European continent. Since countries such as United Kingdom had accumulated a lot of wealth in the late 19th century and early 20th century from the control of foreign resources and markets, territories and people, other empires too started gaining hopes of economically benefiting from acquiring empires such as Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy and Russia1. However, this totally flopped as things did not turn out to their expectations leading to a lot of frustrations that increased the levels of anxiety and rivalry among powers. Increasingly, the natural resources in the European continent were diminishing at a fast rate, negatively impacting on trade balance. This development made it necessary for companies to seek for new raw materials elsewhere, thus settling for Africa and Asian continents. Vested economic interests by various European nations were the major contributors of the Anglo-German rivalry when the sc ramble for Africa intensified. This scene created the sharpest conflict between German and British interests that had been in a heated competition. The rivalry was however not based on colonies alone. Colonial trade and trade routes was also part of the major issues that caused the outbreak of the war as experts observe. Different emerging economic powers and the incumbent of great economic powers in the African continent saw an increased rise in the broader disputes2. From the 1980s, the rivalry among great powers due to colonial territories intensified and kept growing. Hatred between conflicting powers was evident, while war was imminent. This period witnessed the acquisition of both the African and the Asian continents by the European powers. However, the increased conflicts that arose between the various powers of the European origin saw the spark of the war. The scramble for African and Asian continents increased the tensions between Anglo-French and Anglo-Russian powers, as w ell as the crises that had sought to prevent British alliances with either of the two until the wake of the twentieth century. Not only was the overseas empire a problem to some countries such as Germany, she was also faced with yet another predicament. Otto von Bismarck was not in favour of overseas empire building, and more so acquisitions of Africa. His only support for the African scramble and colonization was that to him, it served as a bite which diverted the attention of governments away from Europe

How One Child Policy Would Affect Chinese Economy Research Paper

How One Child Policy Would Affect Chinese Economy - Research Paper Example In 1989, the official slogan was that a â€Å"one-son or two-child† policy, and it was in force in all most all regions of China. Thus, under this changed policy initiates, couples with a daughter were bestowed with the privilege to have a second child that too after a gap of 7 years. China’s entire birth planning initiative and one-child policy was perused on the available processes and structures linked with a centrally planned economy. (US Congress Joint Economic Committee 1992:252). Population control and economic development are the two major concerns for developing nations. China’s response to this issue was the open-door policy and the reform and the one-child policy. Two miracles have been produced by China in these areas. Both, demographic and economic changes have been undergone by China in recent years. Further, China has shifted from the centralised economy to a market- based economy. China, in the last twenty years, has become as one of the fast-grow ing and most energetic economies of the world, and this is regarded to be first miracle. Further, China’s one-child policy has applied the brake to explosive growth of Chinese’s population and also there has been a remarkable decline in fertility rates, which is well bellow –replacement stages and this has been regarded as second miracle of China.( Wong & Liu 2007:333). In reality, the declines in population growth, the slow-down in fertility rates and transformation in age structure have been main features economic achievement of China. The main aim of this research study is to study the association between China’s economic growth and its demographic evolution. In the background of both future and contemporary changes in China’s age structure, this research paper will also scrutinize and evaluate on the role of transformation in populations age structure in impacting China’s prospects for economic growth in the ensuing decades. This researc h paper will endeavour to elucidate the future, and the current confronts China witnesses and suggests policies to cope with them to maintain economic growth in the globe’s most populace nation. (Wong & Liu 2007:334). One Chid Policy and China’s Economic Development History of Chinese One -Child Policy During 1978-79, there had been reformulation of China’s population policy by the post –Mao’s leadership. The population issue witnessed in the late 1970s was footed on the demographic reality that in between 1949 and 1970, China had concluded its demographic evolution from high to low mortality and fertility rates. Before the introduction of one -child policy , the China’s population strategy of the 1970s had resulted in a shark fall in aggregate fertility rates to 2.72 in 1978 from 5.81 in 1970.Despite the fact of low fertility rates , due to demographic momentum , it was foreseen that population increase would prolong for many years to come. Demographic momentums connotes that a population will prolong to increase long after replacement level fertility has been accomplished, as young age structure of the total population will generate groups in the childbearing ages for many more years to come. The research survey by Tien (1981) that was conducted in the late 1970 showed that about 39 % of population of China was in the age group of 15 and above , while 65% of the population was aged 30 and below , born after 1949 . Calculations showed that on the basis of this age structure that if every

Hospice And Attitudes Toward Death Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Hospice And Attitudes Toward Death - Essay Example In recent decades, particularly in the last century, there has been a great shift in lifestyles of people all over the world. The religious-centered lifestyles have now moved towards being more materialistic and social. This has affected the way people dress, eat, interact with others, perceive, and prepare them for what is not in their control (Corr et al., 304, 2008). Thus, unlike older times when people relied more on religious ceremonies and rituals to lessen the bereavement and pain before death, nowadays, people fall back on hospice care services and more techniques that are modern. One way this affects the process is through reducing the time span of this bereavement. With modern day facilities and parallel services available under one roof at hospice, time duration of the pain and grief before dying and shortened considerably. With the availability of priests, psychologists, drug experts, food experts and plain entertainers to read and talk to patients, it has become comparat ively easier for patients as well as their families to cope with the loss and the accompanying gloom (Gittings, 273, 2000). However, the old patterns are not inefficient.

Singapore's Macroeconomy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Singapore's Macroeconomy - Essay Example Singapore as a country is devoid of natural resources. In its foreign policy, Singapore has incorporated polices to strengthen its relation with the members of Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). Singapore also maintains a strong association with the United Nations Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC) to improve trade relations with Latin America and East Asia. So, from the very beginning, it had focused on the development of capital intensive methodologies for further growth (Australian Government, n.d.). The Nominal GDP of Singapore in the year 2012 was recorded as 276.52 billion dollars (International Monetary Fund, n.d.). This has even surpassed the prediction by IMF, which had forecasted the GDP to be around 270 billion dollars. Analysis of the country’s business cycle The GDP of the country is tabulated in the following table. Table 1: Real GDP of Singapore Year GDP current prices in US Dollars Growth Rate 2000 94.31 9.04 2001 87.70 -1.154 2002 90.64 4.202 2003 95.96 4.58 2004 112.70 9.159 2005 125.43 7.37 2006 145.75 8.764 2007 177.58 8.857 2008 189.96 1.701 2009 185.64 -0.98 2010 227.38 14.76 2011 259.85 4.889 Source: (Econ Stats, n.d.) The above table shows the GDP of Singapore at current prices in US Dollars. This paper has considered the GDP growth over the last ten years. The formula that has been used for the calculation of growth is: Rate of Growth of GDP in current year = (GDP value in current year – GDP value in base year)/ GDP value in year base year It can be clearly seen from the table that Singapore’s GDP has been following an upward trend throughout, except a little slump in 2009. The slump can be explained because of the adverse external environment in the World economy. Since then, the economy of Singapore has made a steady progress as can be seen from the rising trend in the GDP. Figure 1: Graphical presentation of GDP Source: (Authors creation) The graph above gives a visual representa tion of the GDP values. It can be seen from the figure that the economy of Singapore had faced a slump in the GDP growth in 2001. This is primarily because of the fact that the country went into recession in the middle of 2001. The chief reason behind this was the slower growth of the US economy, particularly in the electronic sector, which had slowed down the exports from Singapore to not only the US, but also the rest the European countries (Arnold, 2001). Since then, the economy of Singapore had shown a consistent performance. The main reason behind this exceptional growth was not the increase in total factor productivity, which had mainly driven the growth for other Asian countries. The root of growth and a stellar performance for the Singapore economy was the high level of capital accumulation. The growth can be mainly attributed to the mobilization of resources. The development strategies adopted by the government were strategic and vibrant which had mainly propelled the econo my to its growth. In a research conducted by Professor Vu he, it was found that the contribution of the capital-input in the growth process has been around 47%, while labor contributed to around 36% of

The classics, Antigone and A Dolls House Essay Example for Free

The classics, Antigone and A Dolls House Essay To understand the relationships and the differences between two stories, one must analyze the story from beginning to end, noting which direction each story heading from the beginning. The plot must be closely looked upon as well as the actors and their actions. Antigone and A dolls house are very similar stories as they both tragic stories of betrayal and mind games. In Antigone, King Creon makes a statewide decree stating that Polynices, the traitor is not to receive a formal burial and is left to rot in the open, but his sister, Antigone, defies his decree even after her sister, Ismenes, refusal to aid in his burial. She buries Polynices and is caught. Soon a Sentry (military officer) arrives at the throne to give news to the king of the violation of his strict decree. The king threatens to take the life of the messenger if he does not come back with news of who has buried this traitor of his kingdom. Later, she is sentenced to be buried alive by King Creon even though she is about to marry the kings son, Haemon. After hearing of the sentencing, Tiresias comes to the throne to speak with the king, along side him, a small boy as an escort. This old prophet is a blind man that in the end of the story, is proven to see better than most able-bodied men of 30 years younger than that of himself. Tiresias proves to the king that gods are not on his side and Creon changes his mind. His final decision is too late. He leaves the throne to personally bury Polynices and speak with Antigone in the cave he sentenced her to die in. He finds that Antigone had hung herself and his own beloved son is no charging at him in full fury but then his blood is spilt at the mercy of his own blade. Meanwhile, back at the throne of King Creon, Eurydice is walking by a room where she hears men speaking of her dead son. She enters the room, where the kings cabinet awaits. She is told the news of her sons death and later takes her own life. Now Creon is all alone. Creon is man that is put into a tight predicament when he issues his decree. Creon is king and all in his kingdom are to obey his laws but what if he were to issue a law that goes against the gods laws. As king, any man would look like a weak fool if someone defied a direct order that he gave to an entire kingdom but what if later on, Creon was to reach the realization that his decree is seen as unjust by the gods as well as the people of his  kingdom. He is torn between looking weak to his entire kingdom by withholding his decree and having Polynices a proper burial service, or looking strong by going on with the death of his sons fiancà ¨e and be looked down upon by the people he serves. In A Dolls House, Nora Helmer runs into a very similar dilemma, which results in the odd twist at the end of the story. This story begins on Christmas Eve when Nora finds out that her husband Torvald has just received a promotion that will boost him to become bank manager. This excites Nora because some time back, her husband was very ill and was on the verge of death. Nora could not afford to keep her husband out of his deathbed so she forged her fathers signature on a contract that she and a man by the name of Krogstad had put together. Krogstad, an employee of Torvalds, has had a shady history and hasnt worked for Torvald long, but is willing to loan Nora the money to have her husband cured. Signing her fathers signature three days after his own death, Krogstad eventually finds out and is considering taking Nora to court because Krogstad has yet to be repaid for the loan. A woman, by the name of Mrs. Linde comes into town looking for employment and Nora recommended her to her husband. Torvald, considering getting rid of Krogstad because of his shady background, decided to replay Krogstad with Mrs. Linde and the rumor gets around the bank. Krogstad stops by and puts a letter in Torvalds box revealing to him the situation at hand. A doctor comes over later on and tells Nora that he is dying and Nora flirts with him trying to seduce him into maybe giving her the money but is interrupted when Krogstad is introduced to the scene. Krogstad meets Nora and tells her that she is going to be brought in front of a judge in a court of law if he looses his job. He would be loosing his only source of income and having children to feed, he would require Nora to pay him back so he intends to blackmail Nora for his job back. Torvald comes home and walks into his office and reads part of the letter. Enraged, Torvald comes out and finds Nora trying to leave. He stops her and goes off on a tantrum exclaiming how severely Nora has just ruined his life  but is interrupted by the maid who brings forth a letter from Krogstad that is addressed to Nora. Taking the letter, Torvald reads it and forgives her because Krogstad has had a change of heart. Previous to Krogsteads termination from the bank, Torvald promised his wife that he would take care of any repricutions from Krogsteads terminations but then falls back on his promise when he explains how Nora has ruined his life. She, in turn, sees what kind of person Torvald and hates what she finds. Nora then decides to leave her husband, family, and maid, to go out and educate herself about the world and her own personal character. Nora and Antigone both share some of the same character traits but they were revealed at opposite times in both of the stories. At the beginning of Antigone, Antigone makes a huge decision on how she is willing to die for her brothers burial procedure and at the end of A Dolls House, Nora makes her big decision about leaving everything she has ever known for her own sake, completely disregarding the needs of her family and prejudging that her husband will be able to take care of them alone, so she can go and have some time to herself to where she can find out who she really is. Creon is comparable to the character of Krogstad in A dolls house. In Antigone, Creon is the deciding factor of the outcome of the story and the same goes with Krogstad because all in all, he is the one that makes the decision whether he wants to bring his opposing character down or not. Creon made a decree stating that Polynices could not be buried and Krogstad made a decree saying that if he looses his job, he is taking Nora down with him. Together, they are both creating a fork in outcome of the stories. Mrs. Linde is like Ismene, Antigones sister, in the fact that they both offer their assistance in helping the main character of both stories towards the climax. Ismene is brought to the throne to speak of her sisters actions and she is truthful in what she says but she argues that Antigone should not be put to death. Mrs. Linde, being an old lover of Krogstad, is asked by Nora try and get Krogstad to not go through with his own decree. In summary, there are many things that bridge these two classic stories together. The stories are just told in reverse order. It can all be tracked from when the decree was made in each story. Antigone and A Dolls House are very much the same.

Symptoms causes and possible solutions of Dementia

Symptoms causes and possible solutions of Dementia Introduction (source, NHS) Dementia is a syndrome (a group of related symptoms) that is associated with an ongoing decline  of the brain and its  abilities. These include: thinking, language, memory,  Ã‚   understanding, and judgement. People with dementia may also have problems controlling their emotions or  behaving appropriately in social situations. Aspects of their personality may change. Most cases of dementia are caused by damage to the structure of the brain. How common is dementia? Dementia is a common condition. In  England alone, there are currently 570,000 people living with dementia. That number is expected to double over the next 30 years. Usually dementia occurs in people who are 65  or over. The older you get, the more likely you are to develop it. It is estimated that dementia occurs in: 1.4% of men and 1.5% of women aged between 65 and 69, 3.1% of men and 2.2% of women aged between 70 and 74, 5.6% of men and 7.1% of women aged between 75 and 79, 10.2 % of men and 14.1% of women aged between 80 and 84, and 19.6% of men and 27.5% of women aged 85 or over. Types of dementia Listed below are the different types of dementia. Alzheimers disease, where small clumps of protein, known as plaques, begin to develop around brain cells. This disrupts the normal workings of the brain. Vascular dementia, where problems with blood circulation result in parts of the brain not receiving enough blood and oxygen. Dementia with Lewy bodies, where abnormal structures, known as Lewy bodies, develop inside the brain. Frontotemporal dementia, where the frontal and temporal lobes (two parts of the brain) begin to shrink. Unlike other types of dementia, frontotemporal dementia usually develops in people who are under 65. It is much rarer than other types of dementia. This  section focuses on vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies and frontotemporal dementia. See Useful links for more information about Alzheimers disease. Outlook In clinical terms, the outlook for dementia is not good. In most cases, there is no cure  and symptoms will get worse over time. However, even if a persons dementia cannot be cured, there are a number of effective treatments that can help them to cope better with their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Symtoms Vascular dementia The symptoms of vascular dementia can develop suddenly and quickly  worsen.  Or they can develop gradually over  many months. Symptoms  include: increasing difficulties with tasks and activities that require concentration and planning, memory loss, depression, changes in personality and mood, periods of mental confusion, low attention span, urinary incontinence, stroke-like symptoms, such as muscle weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, wandering during the night, and slow and unsteady gait (the way that you walk). Symptoms of dementia with Lewy bodies The symptoms of dementia with Lewy bodies usually develop gradually  but get  more severe over the course of many years. The symptoms of dementia with Lewy bodies include: memory loss, low attention span, periods of mental confusion, delusions (believing in things that are not true), difficulty planning ahead, muscle stiffness, slower movement, shaking and trembling of arms and legs, shuffling while walking, problems sleeping,   loss of facial expression, and visual hallucinations (seeing things that are not  there). Usually people will see other people or animals that are not real. Symptoms of frontotemporal dementia Frontotemporal dementia is caused by damage to the parts of the brain that help control emotional responses and behaviour. Therefore, many of the initial symptoms of frontotemporal dementia involve changes in emotion, personality and behaviour. Someone with frontotemporal dementia may  become less sensitive to other peoples emotions. This can make them  seem cold and unfeeling. They may also lose some of their inhibitions. This could lead to strange behaviour, such as  making sexually suggestive gestures in a public place, being rude to others or making tactless comments. Other symptoms of frontotemporal dementia include: aggression, compulsive behaviour, being easily distracted, an increasing lack of interest in washing themselves, and personality changes. A  person who was previously withdrawn may become very outgoing, or vice versa. Some people with frontotemporal dementia also  have problems with language. Symptoms affecting language include: speaking far less than usual, or not speaking at all, having problems finding the right words to express themselves, and using many words to describe something simple. For example, saying a metal and wooden tool used for digging instead of a spade Causes of dementia   Vascular dementia Vascular dementia is caused when there is an interruption to the blood supply to the brain. Like all organs, in order to  work properly the brain needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients that is provided by the blood. If the supply of blood is restricted or stopped, brain cells begin to die, resulting in brain damage. The blood supply to the brain can become blocked during a stroke where either: a blood clot blocks the supply of blood to the brain, known as an ischaemic stroke, or a blood vessel becomes weakened and then splits. This is known as a haemorrhagic stroke. Sometimes, less severe blockages to the brain do not result in a stroke, but they can damage the brain to a lesser extent. This is known as a silent brain infarction. Not everyone who has had a stroke or a silent brain infarction will go on to  get vascular dementia. But  it always remains a possibility, particularly in people who have multiple strokes or silent brain infarctions. Vascular dementia can also develop if the vessels inside the brain narrow and harden. Narrowing and hardening of the blood vessels is known as arteriosclerosis. Know risk factors for arteriosclerosis include: diabetes, obesity, smoking, drinking  too much  alcohol, lack of exercise, and eating a high-fat diet Dementia with Lewy bodies Lewy bodies are small, circular  lumps of protein that develop inside the brain. It is not known what causes  them. It is also unclear how  they damage the brain and cause dementia. One theory is that they block the effects of two neurotransmitters called dopamine and acetylcholine. Neurotransmitters are messenger chemicals that send information from one brain cell to another. Both dopamine and acetylcholine are thought to play an important role in helping to regulate many important mental functions, such as memory, learning, mood and attention. Therefore, by blocking their effects, Lewy bodies may trigger dementia. Frontotemporal dementia Frontotemporal dementia is caused by two parts of the brain (the temporal lobe and the frontal lobe) becoming increasingly damaged and then shrinking. In an estimated 40 to 50% of cases, people who develop frontotemporal dementia have inherited a genetic mutation (an altered gene) from their parents. These genetic mutations are thought to  have a negative effect on a protein known as the tau protein. All brain cells contain tau proteins. They help to keep the brain cells stable. However, if tau proteins stop working properly, they can damage brain cells. If  no genetic mutation  is found, the causes of frontotemporal dementia  remain unknown. Less common causes of dementia Dementia or dementia-like symptoms can have a number of less common causes, some of which are treatable. These include: repeated  injury to the head, infections of the brain, such as meningitis or encephalitis, Huntingtons disease, a rare genetic condition that causes progressive brain damage, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), a rare and fatal condition that causes damage to the brain and nervous system, an overactive or underactive thyroid gland, dehydration, lack of  vitamin B in the diet, poisoning,  for example from lead or pesticides,   having a brain tumour, and certain lung and heart conditions that interrupt the supply of blood and oxygen to the brain. Diagnosing dementia   Confirming a diagnosis of dementia can be difficult, particularly when the condition is in its early stages. This is because many of the symptoms of dementia can be caused by other  conditions. In order  for dementia to be  diagnosed correctly, you should  have a number of different tests and assessments including: A  review of your medical history. A  full assessment of your mental abilities.   A range of  tests,  including blood tests to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms, such as a vitamin B deficiency. Imaging scans, such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, which can provide information about the physical state and structure of your brain. A  review of any medication you may be taking, in case these are contributing to your symptoms. Some of these tests can be carried out by your GP. Others will be carried out by other specialists, such as a neurologist (an expert in treating conditions that affect the brain and nervous system) or a psychiatrist with experience in treating dementia. Assessing your mental abilities There are some questionnaires that can be used to help  test your mental abilities and how severe your symptoms are. One widely used questionnaire is the  Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). The MMSE can be used to assess a number of different mental abilities including: short- and long-term memory, attention span, concentration, language and communication skills, ability to plan, and ability to understand instructions. The MMSE is a series of questions, each carrying a score that can give a maximum result of 30 points. Example questions include: memorising a short list of objects and then repeat the list back, writing a short sentence that is grammatically correct, such as the dog sat on the floor, and correctly indentifying the current day of the week, followed by the date, the month, the season and the year. While the MMSE cannot diagnosis dementia by itself, it is  useful for assessing the level of mental impairment that a person with dementia may have. A  score of 25 or above is considered normal. A  score of 18 to 24 indicates mild to moderate impairment. A  score of 17 or below indicates serious impairment. Ruling out other conditions There are  further tests that can be used to rule out other conditions that may be responsible for the patients symptoms. These tests are outlined below. A full blood count A full blood count can be used to assess your general health and check for a range of disorders, including anaemia and infection. A blood sample will usually be taken from a vein in your arm using a needle and syringe. The test will also check for other illnesses. Blood glucose test A blood glucose test can be used to determine whether your blood glucose level is normal, and can also determine whether you have diabetes. A blood sample is taken to rule out whether your symptoms might be caused by undiagnosed diabetes. Urine analysis Urine analysis is used to diagnose diabetes or problems with your kidneys. During the test, you will be asked to pass a small sample of urine into a sterile container. Measurement of thyroid hormones A measurement of your thyroid hormones may be taken in order to screen for thyroid disorders, including hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid).   Measurement of vitamin B12 levels You may also have a test to check  whether your symptoms are caused by a lack of vitamin B12. However, if  you do  have a B12 deficiency, it is still possible that you may also have dementia. Imaging scans Imaging scans can check if there are any underlying problems with your brain, such as a brain tumour, that could  help explain  your symptoms. Imaging scans can also identify changes in the appearance of the brain that may indicate dementia. Several types of imaging scans can be used in the diagnosis of dementia. These are described below. Magnetic resonance imaging A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is the best way to rule out other brain problems, and to help diagnose the type of dementia. MRI scans help doctors determine whether: there is any shrinkage to the outer layer of the brain, there is any evidence of changes to the blood vessels, or there are any blood clots that might have resulted in vascular dementia. The test will also show whether other conditions, such as a brain tumour, are causing your symptoms. Computerised topography A computerised topography (CT) scan can be used as an alternative to a MRI scan. A CT scan takes a series of X-ray images of your brain. The images are fed into a computer to build up a detailed  3D image of the inside of your brain. Single photon-emission computed tomography A single photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT) scan may be recommended if doctors are unsure whether you have Alzheimers disease, frontotemporal dementia or vascular dementia. A SPECT scan is similar to a CT scan, but the scanner used for a SPECT scan is able to take moving pictures of the blood flow in your brain. The results show if the blood flow in your brain is abnormal, which can often be used to help diagnose the type of dementia. Treating dementia   Your care plan If you are diagnosed with dementia, your future health and social care needs will be assessed and a care plan will be drawn up. A care plan is a way of ensuring that you receive the right treatment for your needs. Examples of questions that could  come up  while drawing up your care plan are listed below. Do  you have a family member or friend willing to act as a carer? What support do you or your carer need for you  to remain as independent as possible? Are there  any changes that need to be made to your  home to make it easier to live in? Would you benefit from physical and occupational therapy? Do  you need additional treatment and advice to help you cope with symptoms of incontinence? Might you require residential care at some point in the future? It is important to remember that this is your care plan. You should ask as many questions as you want and make sure that your wishes are known. Patient consent and advanced directive Patient consent means that you have to give express permission before any medical treatment can be carried out on you. Consent is needed for all  treatments, whether its a simple blood test or an organ donation. The only  time when treatment can go ahead without your  permission is if you  are unable to  make a decision on your own, and the  doctors responsible for your care believe that treatment is in your best interests. There may be a time in the future when your symptoms mean that you  are no longer able  to give consent. Therefore, you may wish to draw up an advanced directive after first receiving a diagnosis of dementia.   An advanced directive  makes your treatment preferences known now, in case you are not able to do this later. Subjects  covered by  an advanced directive can include: what treatment you would consider having and in what circumstances, what types of treatment you would never wish to have, no matter what the circumstances, what type of end-of-life care you would wish to have, for example, whether you would want to be resuscitated by artificial means, such as having a breathing tube inserted into your neck if you  have lung failure, and whether you would be willing to donate organs after your death. You cannot request anything illegal in your advanced directive, such as assisted suicide. Your care team will be able to provide you with more information and advice about advanced directives. You may wish to appoint a friend or family member to take care of your financial and legal affairs. This is known as granting power of attorney. See  Useful links  for information and advice about granting power of attorney. Psychological treatments There are a number of different psychological treatments that can be used to help you cope  with the symptoms of dementia and slow down the  symptoms. These  are described  below. Cognitive stimulation Cognitive stimulation involves taking part in activities and exercises that are designed to improve your memory, problem-solving skills and language ability. It  is provided by a trained carer, and usually consists of two 45-minute sessions a week. During these, you will be involved in discussions about a variety of topics, as well as taking part in word and memory games, and other activities, such as trying to identify pictures of famous people. Behavioural therapy Behavioural therapy is used to help treat many of the behavioural problems that are associated with dementia, such as depression, aggression and delusional thinking. Behavioural therapy is usually provided by a carer, who can be a trained friend, relative or an employed carer. It is  supervised by  a health professional. Behavioural therapy uses a problem-solving approach where possible motivations and reasons for troublesome behaviour are identified. Different strategies are adopted to try to change that behaviour. For example, a person with dementia may have a history of wandering out of their home or care centre because they feel restless. Therefore, a strategy that involves encouraging them to take part in regular physical exercise may  lessen their restlessness.   Reality orientation therapy Reality orientation therapy is a type of therapy  that reduces  feelings of mental disorientation, memory loss and confusion, while improving feelings of self-esteem. Reality orientation therapy may involve group work in a classroom, in which a board prominently displays information such as: the current day and date, the location of the classroom, and the names of the people in the group. The group members repeat  a series of tasks that are designed to  give mental stimulation. These tasks also  reinforce information regarding the time, the place  and the people involved in the group. Multisensory stimulation Multisensory stimulation is a way of stimulating the brain  using different elements. These include  lighting, relaxing music and sounds, massage cushions, aromatherapy (scents) and different touch sensations. By stimulating different areas of the brain, multisensory stimulation aims to lessen feelings of confusion and restlessness, and  improve mood and language skills. However,  this treatment is not suitable  for everyone with dementia, as some people find the effects of stimulation upsetting and unpleasant. Exercise therapy Exercise therapy consists of either general fitness training or a structured fitness programme. It is designed to improve a persons physical mobility, as well as benefiting mental function and mood. Medicines Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AIs) are widely used to treat Alzheimers disease. They are not usually recommended for other forms of dementia because the evidence for their effectiveness is limited and, in some cases, may make symptoms worse. One exception is for people living with dementia with Lewy bodies that have behavioural problems, such as delusions or hallucinations,  which are causing them significant distress or leading to challenging behaviour. AIs  work by preventing the breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, as low levels of acetylcholine have been linked to behavioural problems. Side effects include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle cramps, fatigue, loss of appetite, agitation, aggressive behaviour, dizziness and fainting, insomnia, and urinary incontinence. Antipsychotics Antipsychotics are medicines that can be used to treat challenging and disruptive behaviour, such as aggression or agitation. However, antipsychotics are not usually recommended for the treatment of dementia because: they can increase the risk of a person experiencing cardiovascular diseases, such as strokes, and they can make the symptoms of dementia worse. Also, in people who have dementia with Lewy bodies there is evidence that antipsychotics can cause a range of serious side effects, such as: rigidity, immobility, being unable  to perform tasks, being unable  to communicate and,  possibly, sudden death. Antipsychotics are usually only used in cases where there are severe symptoms of challenging and disruptive behaviour that is judged to place you and/or others at risk of harm. They are only used if there is a full discussion between yourself and/or your carer and your care team about the benefits and risks of treatment. Antipsychotics will be prescribed at the lowest dose  possible, and for as short a time as possible. Your health will also need to be carefully monitored  if you are taking antipsychotics. Side effects of antipsychotics can include: drowsiness, shaking, trembling, muscle twitches, spasms, weight gain, blurred vision, constipation, lack of sex drive, and a dry mouth. Preventing Dementia Preventing vascular dementia While it is not possible to prevent all cases of dementia, there are some measures that  can help  prevent vascular dementia, as well as cardiovascular diseases, such as strokes and heart attacks.  As experts in treating dementia often say, What is good for your heart is also good for your head. The best ways to prevent vascular dementia are: Eat a healthy diet. Maintain a healthy weight. Get sufficient and regular exercise.   Drink alcohol in moderation. Dont smoke. Diet To help prevent dementia, a low-fat and  high-fibre diet is recommended. This includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables (five portions a day) and wholegrains. Limit the amount of salt that you eat to no more than  six grams  a day. Too much salt will increase your blood pressure, which puts you at risk of vascular dementia. One teaspoonful of salt is about six grams. Avoid eating foods that are high in saturated fat because this will increase your cholesterol level, which also puts you at risk of vascular dementia. Foods high in saturated fat include: meat pies, sausages and fatty cuts of meat, butter, ghee (clarified butter, often used in Indian cooking), lard, cream, hard cheese, cakes and biscuits, and foods that contain coconut or palm oil. Eating some foods that are high in unsaturated fat can decrease your cholesterol level. Foods high in unsaturated fat include: oily fish, avocados, nuts and seeds, and sunflower, rapeseed and olive oils. Weight Being overweight can increase your blood pressure, which increases the risk of vascular dementia. This  risk is higher if you are obese. The most scientific way to measure your weight is to calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI). This is your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres, squared. In the UK, people with a BMI of between 25 and 30 are overweight, and those with an index above 30 are  obese. People with a BMI of 40 or more are morbidly obese. The best way of tackling obesity is to reduce the amount of calories that you eat, and ensure that you take regular and sufficient exercise. Your GP  can  give you further information and advice about how you can do this. http://www.nhs.uk/Tools/PublishingImages/bmi_tease.gif Exercise Regular exercise will make your heart and blood circulatory system more efficient. It will also  lower your cholesterol level and  keep your blood pressure at a healthy level, all of which will lower your risk of developing vascular dementia. For most people, 30 minutes of vigorous exercise a day, at least five times a week, is recommended. The exercise should be strenuous enough to  make your heart beat faster, and you should feel slightly out of breath afterwards. Examples of vigorous exercise include going for a brisk walk or walking up a hill. Alcohol Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol will cause a rise in your blood pressure, and raise the cholesterol level in your blood. Sticking to the recommended limits for alcohol consumption is the best way to ensure that you reduce the risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and vascular dementia. The recommended daily levels of alcohol consumption are  three to four  units of alcohol for men, and  two to three  units for women. A unit of alcohol is equal to about half a pint of normal strength lager, a small glass of wine or a pub measure (25ml) of spirits. http://www.nhs.uk/Tools/PublishingImages/do_you_drink_tease.gif Smoking Smoking can cause your arteries to narrow, which can lead to a rise in your blood pressure. It is also a major risk factor for developing cardiovascular diseases, cancer and vascular dementia. The NHS Smoking Helpline offers advice and encouragement to help  you stop smoking. You can call on 0800 022 4332 or visit the NHS Go Smokefree website (see Useful links). Your GP or pharmacist will also be able to give you help and advice about giving up smoking. Preventing other types of dementia There is some evidence that rates of dementia are lower in people who remain as mentally and physically active as possible throughout their lives, and have a wide range of different activities and hobbies. Some activities that may reduce the risk of developing dementia include: reading, writing for pleasure, learning foreign languages, playing musical instruments, taking part in adult education courses, playing tennis, playing golf, swimming, group sports, such as bowling, and walking. There is no evidence that playing brain training computer games reduces the risk of dementia. Dementia (souce,Bupa) reventing vascular dementia While it is not possible to prevent all cases of dementia, there are some measures that  can help  prevent vascular dementia, as well as cardiovascular diseases, such as strokes and heart attacks.  As experts in treating dementia often say, What is good for your heart is also good for your head. The best ways to prevent vascular dementia are: Eat a healthy diet. Maintain a healthy weight. Get sufficient and regular exercise.   Drink alcohol in moderation. Dont smoke. Diet To help prevent dementia, a low-fat and  high-fibre diet is recommended. This includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables (five portions a day) and wholegrains. Limit the amount of salt that you eat to no more than  six grams  a day. Too much salt will increase your blood pressure, which puts you at risk of vascular dementia. One teaspoonful of salt is about six grams. Avoid eating foods that are high in saturated fat because this will increase your cholesterol level, which also puts you at risk of vascular dementia. Foods high in saturated fat include: meat pies, sausages and fatty cuts of meat, butter, ghee (clarified butter, often used in Indian cooking), lard, cream, hard cheese, cakes and biscuits, and foods that contain coconut or palm oil. Eating some foods that are high in unsaturated fat can decrease your cholesterol level. Foods high in unsaturated fat include: oily fish, avocados, nuts and seeds, and sunflower, rapeseed and olive oils. Weight Being overweight can increase your blood pressure, which increases the risk of vascular dementia. This  risk is higher if you are obese. The most scientific way to measure your weight is to calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI). This is your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres, squared. In the UK, people with a BMI of between 25 and 30 are overweight, and those with an index above 30 are  obese. People with a BMI of 40 or more are morbidly obese. The best way of tackling obesity is to reduce the amount of calories that you eat, and ensure that you take regular and sufficient exercise. Your GP  can  give you further information and advice about how you can do this. http://www.nhs.uk/Tools/PublishingImages/bmi_tease.gif Exercise Regular exercise will make your heart and blood circulatory system more efficient. It will also  lower your cholesterol level and  keep your blood pressure at a healthy level, all of which will lower your risk of developing vascular dementia. For most people, 30 minutes of vigorous exercise a day, at least five times a week, is recommended. The exercise should be strenuous enough to  make your heart beat faster, and you should feel slightly out of breath afterwards. Examples of vigorous exercise include going for a brisk walk or walking up a hill. Alcohol Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol will cause a rise in your blood pressure, and raise the cholesterol level in your blood. Sticking to the recommended limits for alcohol consumption is the best way to ensure that you reduce the risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and vascular dementia. The recommended daily levels of alcohol consumption are  three to four  units of alcohol for men, and  two to three  units for women. A unit of alcohol is equal to about half a pint of normal strength lager, a small glass of wine or a pub measure (25ml) of spirits. http://www.nhs.uk/Tools/PublishingImages/do_you_drink_tease.gif