Causes of Dementia

Dementia is not a single disease, but is a group of symptoms that affects the functioning of the brain. Dementia affects intellectual and social abilities enough to cause trouble functioning. There are different types of dementia, along with different causes. Some types of dementia may be reversible, depending upon the underlying cause of the condition.

One of the symptoms of dementia is memory loss, but that alone does not mean you have dementia. In dementia there are problems with at least two brain functions, such as memory loss plus impaired judgment or trouble with lan. People with dementia may experience confusion and may have personality changes.

Progressive dementia is dementia that gets worse with time. Causes of progressive dementia include Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia (abnormal clumps of protein in the brain), vascular dementia (brain damage caused by problems with arteries), and frontotemporal dementia (degeneration of nerve cells in the lobes of the brain).

Disorders that are linked to dementia include Huntington's disease, dementia pugilistica (from chronic head trauma), HIV, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and other conditions that may cause secondary dementia.

Some forms of dementia are reversible, depending upon the cause. Causes of dementia that may be reversible include: immune disorders, infections, endocrine (metabolic) problems, poor diet, vitamin deficiencies, allergic reactions to medication, subdural hematomas, poisoning, brain tumor, lack of oxygen in system (Anoxia), Heart problems and lung problems (oxygen deficiency).

Dementia is a serious condition that needs to be examined by a physician for proper diagnoses. There are some risk factors that cannot be changed, such are age, family history of dementia or family history of other medical condition.

There are some steps that you can take to reduce the chances of getting preventable dementia. Risk factors that can be changed include alcohol use, atherosclerosis, blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression, diabetes, high estrogen levels, homocysteine blood levels and smoking.

Healthy lifestyle changes may help to reduces the chances of developing dementia related to behavior.

Alcohol use - drinking a lot of alcohol may increase dementia risk. Moderate amounts of alcohol (1-2 drinks daily) may be protective, but alcohol abuse increases dementia risk.

A doctor can examine you for signs of high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, diabetes, high estrogen levels. This conditions are risk factors and can be controlled with proper nutrition and physical activity and/or medication.

Depression in late life, especially in men, is a risk factor for Alzheimer's related dementia.

Smoking increases dementia risk, probably because of the higher risk of atherosclerosis and vascular disease.

Information in this article is not intended as medical advise. If you have questions about a medical condition, please consult a physician.

Resources:
Mayo Clinic

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