Is It Possible to Avoid Dementia? An Elderly Guide!
Understanding Vascular Dementia, An Elderly Guide:
1. What is Dementia?
Dementia is caused when the brain is damaged by diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease or a series of strokes. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, but not the only one. The specific symptoms that someone with dementia experiences will depend on the parts of the brain that are damaged and the disease that is causing dementia. vascular dementia
This article explains what dementia is, including the causes and symptoms, and how it is diagnosed and treated. It also looks at some of the different types of dementia.
Mild Cognitive Impairment:
Some older adults have a condition called mild cognitive impairment, or MCI, meaning they have more memory or other thinking problems than other people their age. People with MCI can usually take care of themselves and do their normal activities. MCI may be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease, but not everyone with MCI will develop Alzheimer’s.
Signs of MCI include:
- Losing things often.
- Forgetting to go to important events or appointments.
- Having more trouble coming up with desired words than other people of the same age.
If you have MCI, visit your doctor every six to 12 months to track changes in memory and other thinking skills over time. There may be habits and behaviors you can change and activities you can do to help you maintain memory and thinking skills.
Dementia and Aging:
Dementia is not a normal part of aging. It includes the loss of cognitive functioning — thinking, remembering, learning, and reasoning — and behavioral abilities to the extent that it interferes with a person’s quality of life and activities. Memory loss, though common, is not the only sign of dementia. People with dementia may also have problems with language skills, visual perception, or paying attention. Some people have personality changes.
While there are different forms of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form in people over age 65. The chart below explains some differences between normal signs of aging and Alzheimer’s.
Differences Between Normal Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease:
2. Signs and Symptoms:
Symptoms Each person is unique and will experience dementia in their own way. The different types of dementia also tend to affect people differently, especially in the early stages. Other factors that will affect how well someone can live with dementia include how other people respond to them and the environment around them.
Early symptoms of dementia:
Although the early signs vary, common early symptoms of dementia include:
- Memory problems, particularly remembering recent events.
- Increasing confusion.
- Reduced concentration.
- Personality or behavior changes.
- Apathy and withdrawal or depression.
- Loss of ability to do everyday tasks.
Sometimes, people fail to recognize that these symptoms indicate that something is wrong. They may mistakenly assume that such behavior is a normal part of the aging process. Symptoms may also develop gradually and go unnoticed for a long time. Also, some people may refuse to act, even when they know something is wrong.
A person with dementia will have cognitive symptoms (to do with thinking or memory).
They will often have problems with some of the following:
- Day-to-day memory: for example, difficulty recalling events that happened recently.
- Concentrating: planning or organizing – for example, difficulties making decisions, solving problems, or carrying out a sequence of tasks (such as cooking a meal).
- Language: for example, difficulties following a conversation or finding the right word for something.
- Visuospatial skills: for example, problems judging distances (such as on stairs) and seeing objects in three dimensions.
- Orientation: for example, losing track of the day or date, or becoming confused about where they are.
A Person With Dementia Will also often have changes in their mood:
For example, they may become frustrated or irritable, apathetic or withdrawn, anxious, easily upset, or unusually sad. With some types of dementia, the person may see things that are not really there (visual hallucinations) or strongly believe things that are not true (delusions).
Dementia is Progressive,
Which means the symptoms gradually get worse over time. How quickly this happens varies greatly from person to person. As dementia progresses, the person may develop behaviors that seem unusual or out of character. These behaviors may include asking the same question over and over, pacing, restlessness, or agitation.
They Can,
be distressing or challenging for the person and those close to them. A Person With Dementia Especially in the later stages,
- May have physical symptoms such as muscle weakness or weight loss.
- Changes in sleep patterns and appetite are also common.
- The symptoms of vascular dementia vary and may overlap with those of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Many people have difficulties with problem-solving or planning, thinking quickly, and concentrating. They may also have short periods when they get very confused.
3. Causes, And Types Of Dementia:
Dementia is caused by damage to brain cells. This damage interferes with the ability of brain cells to communicate with each other. When brain cells cannot communicate normally, thinking, behavior, and feelings can be affected.
The brain has many distinct regions, each of which is responsible for different functions (for example, memory, judgment, and movement). When cells in a particular region are damaged, that region cannot carry out its functions normally.
There are many diseases that result in dementia. The most common types of dementia are outlined below:
A. Alzheimer’s Disease:
This is the most common cause of dementia. In Alzheimer’s disease, an abnormal protein surrounds brain cells and another protein damages their internal structure. In time, chemical connections between brain cells are lost and cells begin to die.
Problems with day-to-day memory are often the first thing to be noticed, but other symptoms may include difficulties in finding the right words, solving problems, making decisions, or perceiving things in three dimensions.
Causes, and Risk Factors Of Alzheimer Disease:
- Age.
- Family history.
- Genetics (heredity).
- Other risk factors.
B. Vascular Dementia:
- If the oxygen supply to the brain is reduced because of narrowing or blockage of blood vessels, some brain cells become damaged or die. This is what happens in vascular dementia.
- The symptoms can occur suddenly, following one large stroke.
- Or they can develop over time, because of a series of small strokes.
- Vascular Dementia can also be caused by a disease affecting the small blood vessels deep in the brain, known as subcortical vascular dementia.
C. Mixed Dementia:
This is when someone has more than one type of dementia and a mixture of the symptoms of those types. It is common for someone to have both Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia together.
D. Dementia With Lewy Bodies:
- This type of dementia involves tiny abnormal structures (Lewy bodies) forming inside brain cells.
- They disrupt the chemistry of the brain and lead to the death of brain cells.
- Early symptoms can include alertness that varies over the course of the day, hallucinations, and difficulties judging distances.
- A person’s day-to-day memory is usually affected less than in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Dementia with Lewy bodies is closely related to Parkinson’s disease and often has some of the same symptoms, including difficulty with movement.
E. Frontotemporal Dementia:
(including Pick’s disease) – In frontotemporal dementia, the front and side parts of the brain are damaged. Clumps of abnormal proteins inside brain cells, causing them to die. At first, changes in personality and behavior may be the most obvious signs. Depending on which areas of the brain are damaged, the person may have difficulties with fluent speech or forget the meaning of words.
The symptoms of these types of dementia are,
- Often different in the early stages but become more similar in the later stages.
- This is because more of the brain is damaged as the different diseases progress.
- In the later stages of dementia, the person will need more and more support to carry out everyday tasks.
- However, many people with dementia live well for years after their diagnosis.
- Information, advice, and support are available for the person and their carer to help them live well with dementia.
4. What increases the risk for dementia?
- Age: The strongest known risk factor for dementia is increasing age, with most cases affecting those of 65 years and older.
- Family history: Those who have parents or siblings with dementia are more likely to develop dementia themselves.
- Race/ethnicity: Older African Americans are twice more likely to have dementia than whites. Hispanics 1.5 times more likely to have dementia than whites.
- Poor heart health: High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking increase the risk of dementia if not treated properly.
- Traumatic brain injury: Head injuries can increase the risk of dementia, especially if they are severe or occur repeatedly.
5. Who Gets Dementia?
Scientists are investigating how dementia might run in the family.
- In a very small number of people, certain types of dementia are inherited as a single gene that directly causes the disease.
- People with one of these genes will usually get dementia before the age of 65.
- Everyone else will inherit a combination of genes that increases or decreases their risk of developing dementia in much less direct ways.
6. How Can I Tell if I Have Dementia?
Becoming a bit more forgetful does not necessarily mean that you have dementia. Many people notice that their thinking gets a bit slower or their memory becomes a bit less reliable as they get older – for example, they might occasionally forget a friend’s name.
These symptoms can also be a sign of stress, depression, or certain physical illnesses. However, anyone who is worried that their memory is getting noticeably worse, or who has other symptoms such as those listed above, should discuss their concerns with the doctor.
7. Diagnosing Dementia:
It is very important for anyone who has problems with their memory or thinking to get a proper assessment. These problems may be caused by a treatable condition such as depression or infection, rather than dementia. Finding out the cause may allow the person to get the right treatment. If these problems are because of dementia, getting a diagnosis has many benefits.
Benefits Of Diagnosis:
- It provides someone with an explanation for their symptoms, gives them access to treatment, advice, and support, and allows them to prepare for the future and plan ahead.
- Knowing the type of dementia (for example, Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia) is also important, partly because it may allow the person to get appropriate drug treatment.
Dementia will usually be diagnosed by a specialist doctor.
Such as:
- A psychiatrist: a mental health specialist.
- Geriatrician: a doctor specializing in the physical health of older people.
- Neurologist: someone who concentrates on diseases of the nervous system.
There is no single test for dementia. Diagnosis is based on a combination of things:
I. Taking a ‘History’:
The doctor talking to the person and someone who knows them well about how their problems developed and how they are now affecting their daily life.
II. Physical Examination And Tests:
(for example, blood tests) to exclude other possible causes of the person’s symptoms.
III. A Scan of The Brain:
if this is needed to make the diagnosis.
8. Treatment Options:
The vast majority of causes of dementia cannot be cured, although research is continuing into developing drugs, vaccines, and other medical treatments. There is a lot that can be done to enable someone with dementia to live well with the condition. Care and support should be ‘person-centered. This means it should be focused on that person and their individual needs and preferences.
A. Non-Drug Treatments And Support:
There is a range of non-drug treatments available that can help someone to live well with dementia. These include information, advice, support, therapies, and activities. The GP, memory service or local Alzheimer’s Society are good places to start for more information on what is available.
Other types of treatment include the following:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) may be offered if the person develops depression or anxiety.
- Talking therapies, such as counseling, can help someone come to terms with their diagnosis or discuss their feelings.
- Cognitive stimulation therapy is a popular way to help keep someone’s mind active. It involves doing themed activity sessions over several weeks.
- Cognitive rehabilitation can enable an individual to retain skills and cope better.
There Are Also,
lots that can be done at home to help someone with dementia remain independent and live well with memory loss. Support ranges from devices such as pillboxes or calendar clocks to practical tips on how to develop routines or break tasks into simpler steps.
Many people,
With dementia enjoy life story work, In which the person is encouraged to share their life experiences and memories. As a person’s dementia progresses, they may also enjoy reminiscence work.
- Such activities may help improve someone’s mood, wellbeing, and mental abilities.
- Other popular activities include music, singing, or art.
- It is vital that people with dementia stay as active as they can – physically, mentally, and socially.
- Taking part in meaningful activities is enjoyable and leads to increased confidence and self-esteem.
B. Drug Treatments:
There are drugs that can help with the symptoms of dementia, or that in some cases may stop them from progressing for a while. A person with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease or mixed dementia in which Alzheimer’s is the main cause may be prescribed one of three different drugs:
- Donepezil.
- Rivastigmine.
- or Galantamine.
These may give temporary help with memory, motivation, concentration, and daily living. In the moderate or severe stages of Alzheimer’s disease, someone may be offered a different drug called memantine. This may help with attention and daily living and possibly ease distressing or challenging behaviors.
For a Person With Vascular Dementia,
- Drugs will be offered to treat the underlying medical conditions that cause dementia.
- These conditions often include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or heart problems. Controlling these may help slow the progression of dementia.
A wide range of other drugs may be prescribed at different times for a person with dementia. These include:
- Drugs for depression or anxiety.
- Sleeping tablets or antipsychotics.
Note:
- That some of these drugs can have severe side effects.
- Not all are recommended for all types of dementia.
- Health professionals will generally recommend that a non-drug approach is tried first before prescribing medication unless a person’s symptoms are very severe.
9. Prevention:
Can dementia be prevented?
It is not usually possible to say for sure why a particular person has developed dementia.
Factors such as:
- High blood pressure.
- Lack of physical exercise.
- And smoking.
- All of which leads to narrowing of the arteries.
- Increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.
A. Regular Physical Exercise:
There is evidence that a healthy lifestyle, especially in mid-life, can help reduce the risk of dementia. Regular physical exercise (for example, cycling, swimming, brisk walking), maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, and drinking alcohol only in moderation if at all, are linked to a reduced risk of dementia.
B. Healthy Diet:
A healthy balanced diet also helps to reduce a person’s risk. A balanced diet is one which is low in saturated fat, does not have too much salt, sugar or red meat, and includes plenty of fish, starchy foods, and fruit and vegetables. All these healthy lifestyle choices will also reduce the risk of other serious conditions such as stroke, heart disease, and cancer.
C. Living With Conditions:
A person who is already living with conditions such as diabetes, heart problems, high blood pressure or high cholesterol should follow professional advice to keep their condition under control. Getting depression treated early is also important.
D. Mentally And Socially Active:
It also seems that keeping mentally and socially active into later life may help lower a person’s risk of dementia.
- Being mentally active could include doing puzzles or reading, or learning a new skill.
- Being socially active could include visiting friends or going to a place of worship.
- Volunteering could offer both mental and social activity and many organizations offer opportunities for people looking to donate their time or skills.
Is It Possible to Avoid Dementia?
Recent research shows a diet with certain ingredients assists in the improvement of memory processes.
1. Omega 3:
- Omega 3 is a well-known fish ingredient linked to reducing the risks of dementia or at the very least improving brain health.
- Not only is it useful for brain health it is also beneficial for improving cardiovascular health.
- Eating more fish or omega 3 capsules ensures a consistent supply of this nutrient is available for the body’s use.
2. Folates:
- Folates are another major ingredient that should be included in a healthy diet.
- Memory failing you suggests that you are likely to be low in folates.
- Eat asparagus, broccoli, cranberry juice, liver to up your intake of folate.
- Planning to be a mother, suggests women take folate tablets prior to becoming pregnant, and certainly over the first trimester of pregnancy.
- Give the fetus brain the best possible start in life and one that will carry over into later life.
3. Choline:
- Choline in the form of eggs, soybeans, and nuts has a marked effect on boosting memory in older people.
- Tests have shown that ensuring the addition of these to the older person’s diet, minor memory lapses are improved.
- Fluids like water must be included every day to maintain the hydration of the body.
- Dehydration affects the overall performance of the brain and the body’s cells.
4. Antioxidants:
- Antioxidants and their effects on our bodies are more widely researched today.
- The capacity of the body to produce antioxidants to reduce the damage of free radicals is a limited one.
- Foods with antioxidants include blueberries, red bush teas, and cranberries even turmeric, are useful in limiting the damage.
5. Homocysteine:
- Homocysteine is a natural substance found in our blood.
- High levels of this may increase the likelihood of Alzheimer’s, or dementia.
- B vitamins in a diet particularly B6 and B12 reduce the high levels of homocysteine and may delay the onset of dementia in some cases.
- A diet consisting of fruit, nuts, vegetables, fish, and chicken is associated with reducing the risks of dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Diets,
While extremely helpful with Alzheimer’s and dementia diseases, but there are physical means of assisting the protection the foods provide. Keeping your brain busy and interested in life is another means of delaying or avoiding dementia.
- Brain games using word games or Sudoku can challenge the brain and the cells therein.
- Travel and social occasions are part of most people’s lives but pay attention to them as we age.
- It is easy to slip into a mind-numbing routine and lose interest in social activities.
Without the constant interaction of our families, our social network buddies the stimulation of the brain cells starts to drop, starting the slow decline in those with a genetic disposition to the dementia diseases.
If you find this article useful, don’t forget to share it with your friends and family, as you might help someone in need. Thanks.
Disclaimer: “Nothing in this article makes any claim to offer cures or treatment for any disease or illness. If you are sick please consult with your doctor.”
Sources
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