The Facts Behind Vascular Dementia
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What is Vascular Dementia?
Vascular dementia refers to a range of cognitive difficulties—such as issues with reasoning, planning, judgement, and memory—that result from brain damage caused by reduced blood flow to the brain.
Signs and symptoms of vascular dementia include trouble paying attention, confusion, reduced ability to organise thoughts, memory issues, agitation, and the inability to control passing urine.
Getting to Know the Causes of Vascular Dementia
Some typical causes that may result in vascular dementia are:
Stroke
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is suddenly interrupted, usually due to a blood clot or a ruptured blood vessel. This interruption deprives brain cells of oxygen and nutrients, causing them to die. Depending on the location and severity of the stroke, it can result in noticeable cognitive impairments such as memory loss, difficulty with reasoning, or changes in behaviour.
Small vessel disease
Small vessel disease involves the narrowing or blockage of the tiny blood vessels deep within the brain. This condition reduces blood flow to critical brain regions, causing damage to white matter—the brain’s communication network. Over time, this damage leads to problems with memory, thinking, and movement.
Hardening of the arteries
Atherosclerosis is the buildup of plaque inside the arteries, which causes them to narrow and harden. When this occurs in the arteries supplying the brain, it restricts blood flow and can lead to the death of brain cells.
High blood pressure and diabetes
The natural wear and tear that comes from elevated blood pressure and diabetes can also lead to vascular dementia.
Vascular Dementia Due to Ageing
As we grow older, particularly after age 65, the likelihood of developing the condition rises, with the risk approximately doubling every five years. This heightened risk is largely due to the natural ageing process, which can cause blood vessels to stiffen and narrow, reducing blood flow to the brain and making the vascular system more susceptible to damage.
Living with Vascular Dementia
A person living with vascular dementia will likely require assistance with certain daily activities, such as handling medications, managing finances, or preparing meals. While one may maintain independence in many areas, it is still considered unsafe to live alone, depending on which abilities are impaired. In some cases, individuals with vascular dementia may need more specialised care.
Meanwhile, limiting alcohol consumption, keeping the right body weight, eating healthy meals, and exercising regularly are some of the effective strategies to prevent and lower your risk of having vascular dementia.
