What Causes Dementia

What causes dementia? There seems to be numerous causes of dementia, a medical problem whose symptoms are memory loss and inability to complete daily tasks, but the two leading ones are vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease.  

Both disorders destroy the brain cells and thus create havoc (impair) normal brain functions.  

Of the two, Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause. On the average, people who are at least 65 year old and have dementia are mostly likely to be inflicted with Alzheimer’s.  

The disease degrades brain functions gradually and therefore also affects overall health. It starts with recent memory loss, followed by deterioration of brain functions in multiple area and then followed by death. 

Take note that the disorder might not occur suddenly. The whole progression might take years and symptoms only show towards the tail end. 

At present, medical science does not have the antidote for Alzheimer’s disease but they do have medication which slows the progress of the conditions which might arise.  

In vascular dementia, blood flow to the brain is blocked somewhat. Without a good supply of blood, brain cells die off gradually because of insufficient nutrients and oxygen. 

But between Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, the latter only happens in about 20 per cent of the cases of dementia. The most common cause of vascular dementia is stroke but heart diseases and high blood pressure could have a hand in it too.  

But whatever dementia one might have, it is necessary to see a doctor to seek treatment. This is because although Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia are leading causes of dementia, they are not the only causes. Don’t forget this. 

For all you know, the memory loss you have been experiencing lately may be due to depression or deficiency in some minerals or vitamins only. That is why it is very important to see your primary-care physician to determine the exact causes of dementia or the dementia-like symptoms you are experiencing.

Click here for info about tests for dementia