Vascular dementia is a type of dementia. It is a degenerative cerebrovascular disease that leads to a progressive decline in memory as well as cognitive functioning. It occurs when the blood supply carrying both oxygen and nutrients to the brain is interrupted by a blocked or diseased vascular system.
Vascular dementia generally occurs with people between the ages of 60 and 75 and affects more men than women.
The most common type of vascular dementia is multi-infarct dementia, which is caused by a series of mini-strokes or infarcts that often go unnoticed. They cause damage to the brain’s cortex, which is associated with learning, language and memory. Over time, the damage interferes with cognitive functions and disrupts everyday functioning.
Preventable disease
Unlike Alzheimer’s disease, the good news with vascular dementia is that it is preventable. The risk factors of having vascular dementia include high blood pressure, a history of stroke, diabetes, obesity and smoking. Here are some tips to prevent vascular dementia:
a) Don’t start smoking and if you already are, consider quitting
b) Exercise regularly
c) Eat a healthy diet and limit your intake of alcohol, salt and saturated fat.
d) Check your blood pressure at least once a year
Symptoms
The onset of vascular dementia is typically more sudden than that for Alzheimer’s type of dementia because the disorder is the result of stroke which inflicts brain damage immediately.
The symptoms listed below are similar to Alzheimer’s disease:
- Forgetfulness
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Lack of concentration
- Slurred speech
- Wandering or getting lost in familiar surroundings
- Difficulty following instructions and problems handling money
Treatment
There is no cure for vascular dementia and no drugs to treat it. However, there are a number of treatments to help manage the symptoms such as medications to improve the brain’s blood circulation and reduce the risk of future strokes.
There are also different therapies available such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy to help stimulate normal movement and speech patterns.
Management
If your loved one has early dementia, help them to manage their forgetfulness by getting them to carry a notepad and to write down errands that need to be completed or other important details. Inform people with whom they have regular contact with about their condition, and request them to be patient, speak slowly and to repeat information to your loved one if necessary.
MCQ
1. What are some risk factors of vascular dementia?
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- All of the above
2. What is the difference between vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease?
- There is cure for vascular dementia but no cure for Alzheimer’s disease
- With vascular dementia, stroke occurs first but Alzheimer’s could happen without a stroke.
- With Alzheimer’s, it occurs at a younger age than for vascular dementia.
3. What can you do to manage the symptoms of vascular dementia?
- Do speech therapy
- Increase your salt intake
- Smoke everyday