Causes and symptoms of dementia

 

The hippocampus is the center of learning and memory, and brain cells in this area are often the first to be damaged.

Do I have dementia?

Dementia is a general term for a serious decline in mental abilities that affects daily life. An example of this is memory loss. Alzheimer’s disease is a common form of dementia.

About dementia

Dementia is not a specific disease. It is a term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with impairment of memory or other thinking skills, to the point that it reduces or completely destroys the ability to carry out everyday activities.

Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases. Vascular dementia, which develops after a stroke, is the second most common form. Many other factors can cause dementia symptoms, including some that are reversible, such as thyroid problems and vitamin D deficiency. Dementia is often mistakenly called “old age” or “senile dementia.” This reflects the previously widespread but mistaken belief that severe mental decline is a normal part of aging.

Memory loss and other symptoms

Many people experience memory loss or deterioration, but this does not mean they have Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.

Memory problems can have a variety of causes. If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms that are distressing, see a doctor to determine the cause. Some symptoms that resemble dementia may be completely reversible.

Dementia symptoms can range widely. However, a diagnosis requires significant impairment in at least two areas:

Memory

Communication and speech

Concentration and attention

Thinking and judgment

Visual perception

Dementia can cause problems with thinking, finding a wallet or purse, paying bills, setting meal times, remembering and keeping appointments, and leaving the house.

Many forms of dementia are progressive, meaning that symptoms come on slowly and get worse. If you or a loved one is experiencing memory problems or other changes in cognitive ability, don’t ignore them. See a doctor as soon as possible to determine the cause of your symptoms. A professional evaluation can determine whether these changes can be treated.

Even if your symptoms suggest dementia, early diagnosis ensures that you can make the most of available treatments and that you have the opportunity to participate in research into the latest therapies. Early diagnosis also gives you time to plan for the future.

Causes

The disease is caused by damage to brain cells. This damage disrupts the ability of cells to communicate with each other. When brain cells are unable to communicate, thinking, behavior, and feelings are impaired.

The brain is made up of many different areas, each responsible for different functions (all memory, judgment, and movement). When cells in a particular area are damaged, that area cannot function normally.

Different forms of dementia are associated with specific cell damage in specific parts of the brain. For example, in Alzheimer’s disease, high levels of certain proteins inside and outside brain cells cause these cells to become unhealthy and unable to communicate with each other.

The hippocampus, a part of the brain that is the center of learning and memory, and brain cells in this area are often the first to be damaged. Therefore, memory loss is often one of the first symptoms of the disease.

Although most brain changes associated with dementia are permanent and worsen over time, not all changes in memory, thinking, and behavior indicate the presence of dementia. For example, thinking and memory problems can be treated if they are a manifestation of the following conditions:

Depression

Side effects of medications

Alcohol abuse

Thyroid disorder

Vitamin deficiency

Diagnosis

There is no test that can tell if someone has dementia. Doctors diagnose Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia based on a thorough medical history, physical examination, laboratory data, characteristic changes in thinking, daily functioning, and behavioral patterns associated with each type of dementia.

Doctors can say with a high degree of certainty that someone has dementia. It is more difficult to determine the specific type because the symptoms and changes in the brain can be similar in different forms of the disease.

In some cases, a psychiatrist will simply diagnose dementia without specifying the type. They may also consult with other specialists, such as a neurologist or gerontologist, to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment for dementia depends on the cause. There is no cure for the most advanced forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, and there is no way to slow or stop the progression.

However, there are medications that can temporarily relieve symptoms. Alzheimer’s disease is often treated with the same medications as other forms of dementia. Leaving the disease untreated can also relieve some of the symptoms of dementia.

Prevention

Some risk factors for developing acquired dementia, such as age and genetic predisposition, cannot be changed. However, scientists are still studying the effects of many other factors on brain health and dementia prevention. Cardiovascular fitness, physical activity, and nutrition are among the most important factors determining the development of dementia.

Cardiovascular factors: The brain is supplied with blood by one of the richest blood vessels in the body. Any factor that damages blood vessels in any part of the body can also damage the blood vessels in the brain, depriving cells of essential nutrients such as glucose and oxygen.

Vascular dementia is characterized by changes in blood flow to the brain. These changes are often accompanied by changes caused by other forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia with Lewy bodies. These changes can overlap, leading to rapid cognitive decline and further worsening of the damage.

You can protect your brain with the same strategies you use to protect your heart: quit smoking, keep your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels within recommended ranges, and maintain a healthy weight.

Physical activity: Regular exercise may reduce your risk of some forms of dementia.

Research shows that physical activity can directly benefit brain cells by improving blood flow.