Causes of Dementia
The causes of dementia are due to changes in the brain or damage to the brain.
Dementia is one of the most serious and frustrating of elderly issues. And it is rapidly increasing. It seems as though almost everyone knows someone who has or had dementia. Within my own extended family, several members have suffered from this, even died from it. The onset of dementia may seem subtle at first; maybe just a whole lot of those "senior moments." But why does elderly dementia happen? The two most common types involve Alzheimers disease and multi-infarct dementia (vascular dementia) from stroke, as discussed in our
dementia overview.
As you may know, Alzheimer's is caused by clumps (plaque) in the brain, tangled fibers, or an excess of some proteins. Some research has linked this to genes or genetic mutation. When it runs in the family, any family member can be at risk. Doctors also believe one of the main causes is simply aging -- it is estimated about over half of elderly people over age 85 have Alzheimer's. More women have this disease, possibly because they live longer than men. And the statistics will get worse as the baby boomer population ages. But there can be several other causes of dementia. Some of them are serious and irreversible, but some can be treated and possibly reversed. Note: The list elderly dementia causes below is not necessarily in order of importance or frequency.
- Stroke and high blood pressure
- Brain tumors
- Other diseases such as Parkinson’s or Huntington’s
- Head injuries
- Fluid build-up in the brain
- Complications from HIV
- Underactive thyroid gland
- Mixing different medications and/or herbs and supplements together
- Adverse reaction to medication
- Dehydration
- Poor elderly nutrition
- Vitamin deficiency such as B-12
Depression may also accompany dementia. Our family members have seen this happen to loved ones. Some have believed that chronic depression can affect brain chemistry and cause dementia. Depression may be a common elderly health problem; however it is not a cause nor sure indication of dementia. Elderly depression can show some of the same symptoms as dementia, including memory loss and inability to carry out daily activities. It is recommended that
dementia screening
be given to be sure whether the symptoms you are observing are of elderly depression or if they are true symptoms of dementia. Depending on the causes of dementia, with early detection some types of dementia have
treatments
and can be controlled. If you or a loved one has experienced any of the above elderly issues and exhibit memory loss, seek help. It is very important to be aware of the
symptoms of dementia.
And to get proper screening from a physician if you suspect anything.
But everyone’s memory seems to get a bit rusty as we age. (But we now know this is not a given). We do know the importance of early dementia detection. But how can you tell if it’s really the symptoms of dementia you're observing? And what are the treatments for the lesser known dementia causes? Click on the links above and read our related articles for more details. Make sure you read this special page about the newest research:
Global Dementia Statistics Spell Urgency
-- Dementia Statistics in the 2009 World Alzheimer Report are staggering. Our easy summary explains it concisely. So you don't have to dredge through the report. Find out why this worldwide dementia organization believes dementia is becoming a global epidemic. And what can be done. We also have links to the full document if you'd like it.
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