Understanding What Causes Dementia
Dementia is a term for symptoms impacting memory loss and a person’s ability to complete daily tasks. The two leading causes of dementia disease are Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Both disorders work by destroying brain cells and impairing brain function.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of causes of dementia. Most people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s are over the age of 65. It begins by affecting recent memory and then progresses to severe impairment of multiple brain functions and will eventually lead to death. It can be a slow progression and brain damage can begin many years before any symptoms actually appear. Forgetfulness and memory loss are often the first symptoms to appear. There is no current cure for Alzheimer’s, but there are medications that can help slow the progression.
Vascular dementia is the second leading causes of dementia disease. Blood flow to the brain is vital to maintaining brain cell activity. Without good blood flow, cells do not get the oxygen and nutrients needed for survival and begin to die off. Vascular dementia makes up approximately 20% of those diagnosed with dementia symptoms. The most common cause is a stroke. Medical conditions such as high blood pressure and heart disease can also cause vascular dementia. It is best to work with your doctor on trying to control any medical conditions that may contribute to breakdowns in blood flow.
Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia are the two leading causes of dementia disease, but they are not the only causes. There are multiple other factors that can lead to a decrease in brain function, memory loss or other symptoms of dementia. It is important to seek medical follow-up if you begin to experience symptoms of dementia. It could be something that is treatable like depression or a vitamin deficiency, or it could be something progressive like Alzheimer’s. The only way to know is to follow up with your primary-care physician. This is your life and your mind. Use them wisely. Learn how you can immediately combat dementia. Discover cutting edge scientific information from the most advanced brain research laboratories in the world.
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