Understanding Dementia: Types, Symptoms and Prevention
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What is Dementia?
Dementia is a broad term that describes a set of symptoms that may include memory loss, changes in mood, and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving and language. While they may seem small at the start, they can affect the day-to-day lives of people with dementia. Dementia is caused when brain cells become damaged and eventually die. There are many diseases and conditions which can cause dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most common type. Regardless of the cause, dementia can be frightening, which makes it difficult to find the right help.
(Resource: Alzheimer’s Society)
Live Peace 24/7 offers stability and familiarity in the daily lives of people dealing with dementia in Greater Vancouver.
Symptoms of Dementia:
Different types of dementia can affect people differently, and everyone will experience symptoms in their own way.
However, there are some common early symptoms that may appear sometime before a diagnosis of dementia. These include:
- memory loss
- difficulty concentrating
- finding it hard to carry out familiar daily tasks, such as getting confused over the correct change when shopping
- struggling to follow a conversation or find the right word
- being confused about time and place
- mood changes
These symptoms are often mild and may get worse only very gradually. It’s often termed “mild cognitive impairment” (MCI) as the symptoms are not severe enough to be diagnosed as dementia.
You might not notice these symptoms if you have them, and family and friends may not notice or take them seriously for some time. In some people, these symptoms will remain the same and not worsen. However some people with MCI will go on to develop dementia.
(Resource: NHS UK)
Types of Dementia
- Alzheimer’s disease. This is the most common cause of dementia.
- Vascular dementia. This type of dementia is caused by damage to the vessels that supply blood to the brain.
- Lewy body dementia. Lewy bodies are balloonlike clumps of protein. They have been found in the brains of people with Lewy body dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
- Frontotemporal dementia. This is a group of diseases characterized by the breakdown of nerve cells and their connections in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain.
- Mixed dementia. Autopsy studies of the brains of people aged 80 and older who had dementia indicate that many had a combination of several causes. People with mixed dementia can have Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia and Lewy body dementia.
(Resource: Mayo Clinic)
Prevention
There’s no sure way to prevent dementia, but there are steps you can take that might help. More research is needed, but it might help to do the following:
- Keep your mind active. Mentally stimulating activities might delay the onset of dementia and decrease its effects. Spend time reading, solving puzzles and playing word games.
- Be physically and socially active. Physical activity and social interaction might delay the onset of dementia and reduce its symptoms. Aim for 150 minutes of exercise a week.
- Quit smoking. Some studies have shown that smoking in middle age and beyond might increase the risk of dementia and blood vessel conditions. Quitting smoking might reduce the risk and improve health.
- Get enough vitamins. Some research suggests that people with low levels of vitamin D in their blood are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. You can increase your vitamin D levels with certain foods, supplements and sun exposure.
More study is needed before an increase in vitamin D intake is recommended for preventing dementia. But it’s a good idea to make sure you get adequate vitamin D. Taking a daily B-complex vitamin and vitamin C also might help.
- Manage cardiovascular risk factors. Treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Pay attention to your levels of LDL cholesterol and get treatment if the levels are too high. High levels of LDL in middle age raises the risk of dementia. Lose weight if you’re overweight.
High blood pressure might lead to a higher risk of some types of dementia. More research is needed to determine whether treating high blood pressure may reduce the risk of dementia.
- Treat health conditions. See your doctor for treatment of depression or anxiety.
- Maintain a healthy diet. A diet such as the Mediterranean diet might promote health and lower the risk of developing dementia. A Mediterranean diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and omega-3 fatty acids, which are commonly found in certain fish and nuts. This type of diet also improves cardiovascular health, which also may help lower dementia risk.
- Get good-quality sleep. Practice good sleep hygiene. Talk to a health care professional if you snore loudly or have periods where you stop breathing or gasp during sleep.
- Treat hearing loss. People with hearing loss have a greater chance of developing problems with thinking, known as cognitive decline. Early treatment of hearing loss, such as use of hearing aids, might help decrease the risk.
- Get regular eye exams and treat vision loss. Research suggests that not treating vision loss may be associated with a raised risk of dementia. (Resource: Mayo Clinic)
Understanding dementia is crucial for providing compassionate and effective care. By familiarizing yourself with the different types of dementia, recognizing common symptoms, and implementing appropriate care strategies, you can make a significant difference in the lives of those affected by this condition. Stay informed, promote awareness, and contribute to a supportive community that prioritizes the well-being of individuals.
