What Are The Common Causes of Dementia?

It is currently estimated that more than 850,000 individuals in the United Kingdom have been diagnosed with dementia. Further research has shown that one in six individuals over the age of 80 exhibit symptoms of this illness. Not only is dementia debilitating from the point of view of the patient, but it can wreak havoc upon families.

Although there are no known cures for dementia as of yet, scientists are beginning to understand some of the causes of this condition. This will inevitably provide more targeted treatment options in the future. So, let's take a quick look at why some individuals will develop dementia during the later stages of life.

The Role of Brain Cells

From a very basic perspective, brain cells that become damaged represent the leading cause of dementia. The brain is a very specialised machine and specific areas control certain functions throughout the body. This is why diagnosing which cells have become damaged is often accomplished by observing the symptoms of the dementia patient in question. For instance, it is thought that Alzheimer's disease is caused by an accumulation of protein in between the cells. This makes it more difficult for them to communicate with one another. Still, please note that research is still ongoing in terms of cellular damage.

Existing Conditions

It is also thought that

certain diseases can increase the chances of an individual developing dementia. These are classified as follows:

• Huntington's disease
• Certain types of traumatic brain injuries
• Parkinson's disease
• Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

This is why it is important to obtain a dementia screening if you or someone you know has already been diagnosed with one of the conditions highlighted above.

Risk Factors To Highlight

There are certain risk factors that have been shown to increase the chances of developing dementia. Some of these cannot be changed while others can indeed be modified. Here are a handful of metrics that are out of our control:

• Genetics
• Age
• Down syndrome

The good news is that other scenarios can be proactively managed including:

Embracing a healthy diet
Obtaining plenty of exercise
Addressing cardiovascular issues such as high blood pressure
Quitting smoking
Obtaining treatment for anxiety and depression
Limiting the chances of head trauma (such as wearing a helmet when playing contact sports)

So, it is clear that all of us have the ability to lessen the possibility (to an extent) of being diagnosed with dementia in the future.

Obtaining Professional Help at the Right Time

The good news is that experts are now able to manage many of the symptoms associated with dementia. Would you like to learn more about specialist dementia care in Devon? If so, one of the professionals at Eastleigh Care Homes is always standing by. Please contact them to schedule an in-depth consultation at your convenience.

*AD