Vascular dementia: Second most common form of dementia
According to experts, the vascular dementia after Alzheimer’s disease second most common form of dementia. Brain damage occurs as a result of impaired blood flow to the brain. Experts explain how the disease is recognized and what can be done about it.
In a current Contribution The renowned Mayo Clinic (USA) explains the symptoms of vascular dementia, which risk factors are known, how the disease is treated and how it can be prevented.
circulatory disorders of the brain
As on the portal “gesund.bund.deAs explained by the Federal Ministry of Health, vascular dementia is the medical term for dementia caused by circulatory disorders in the brain. According to experts, vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease.
The diagnosis “vascular dementia” is made when the typical symptoms occur and a disease of the cerebral vessels has been detected, reports the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) on its portal “gesundheitsinformation.de“.
an extensive one Diagnostics is necessary because imaging studies such as computer or magnetic resonance imaging of the brain alone cannot clarify whether the dementia is vascular or not.
As a rule, there are first discussions with doctors, who inquire about the symptoms, everyday problems and living conditions, among other things. In addition, psychometric tests and medical investigations contribute to the diagnosis.
symptoms
Symptoms of vascular dementia vary depending on the part of the brain where blood flow is affected. The symptoms often overlap with those of other forms of dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease.
But unlike Alzheimer’s, the key symptoms of vascular dementia are slowed thinking and problem-solving rather than memory loss, the Mayo Clinic paper said. To the signs and symptoms of vascular dementia include:
- confusion
- Difficulty paying attention and concentrating
- Decreased ability to analyze a situation, develop an effective plan, and communicate that plan to others
- Slowed thinking
- Difficulty deciding what to do next
- problems with memory
- restlessness and excitement
- Unsteady gait
- Sudden or frequent need to urinate or inability to control urination
- depression or apathy
causes
Vascular dementia results from conditions that damage your brain’s blood vessels, reducing their ability to Brain with the amounts of nutrients and oxygen it needs to carry out thought processes effectively. Common conditions that can lead to vascular dementia include:
- strokesblocking a cerebral artery
- cerebral hemorrhage
- Narrowed or chronic damaged blood vessels in the brain
risk factors
In general, those are risk factors for vascular dementia the same as for heart disease and stroke. These include:
increasing age
Your risk of vascular dementia increases with age. The mental disorder is rare before the age of 65, and the risk increases significantly by the age of 90.
History of heart attack or stroke
If you’ve had a heart attack, you may be at increased risk of developing blood vessel problems in your brain. The brain damage that occurs during a stroke can increase your risk of developing dementia.
Abnormal aging of blood vessels or hardening of the arteries
This condition occurs when deposits of cholesterol and other substances build up in your arteries, narrowing your blood vessels. Hardening of the arteries can increase your risk of vascular dementia by reducing the blood flow that supplies your brain.
High cholesterol
Elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, are associated with an increased risk of vascular dementia.
high blood pressure
High blood pressure puts extra strain on blood vessels throughout your body, including your brain. This increases the risk of vascular problems in the brain.
Diabetes
High glucose levels in diabetes can damage blood vessels throughout the body. Damage to the blood vessels in the brain can increase your risk of stroke and vascular dementia.
Smoking
Smoking directly damages your blood vessels, increasing your risk of atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases, including vascular dementia.
obesity
Being overweight is a well-known risk factor for vascular disease and is believed to increase the risk of vascular dementia.
atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation increases your risk of stroke because it can cause blood clots to form in the heart, which can break off and travel to blood vessels in the brain.
Treatment
Treatment often focuses on addressing the health conditions respectively diseases and risk factors contributing to vascular dementia.
Controlling conditions that affect the underlying health of your heart and your blood vessels can slow the rate at which vascular dementia gets worse.
Depending on your individual situation, a doctor can medication prescribe anticoagulants to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and drugs to control blood sugar in people with diabetes.
prevention
The health of the blood vessels of the brain is closely related to the general heart health tied together. Taking these steps to keep your heart healthy can also reduce your risk of vascular dementia:
- Watch out for a healthy one blood pressure.
- Diabetes prevent or control.
- smoking cessation.
- Regular Movement.
- Hold your cholesterol under control.
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