Dementia mainly affects the older generation and is caused by several different diseases that have an impact on the memory and brain function.
Neuraxpharm provides medication alternatives for dementia and once your doctor has determined your specific needs, they can prescribe the product that best adapts to your needs and condition.
Find out about the main types of dementia, common symptoms and what you can do to help prevent it.
Dementia is a broad term that is used to describe many different diseases that affect the brain, causing cognitive function to deteriorate beyond what is considered normal ageing. The word dementia refers to a set of common symptoms including memory loss and difficulties with other thinking abilities, such as language, problem solving and decision making, however symptoms can vary greatly among the different forms of dementia. Sometimes people with dementia are also affected by changes to their mood and behaviour.
While dementia can affect younger people, it mainly affects older people and is one of the major global causes of disability and dependency among the older generation. However, it’s not a normal part of ageing and it can have a severe impact on the lifestyle of those diagnosed and their families and carers.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that around 50 million people have dementia worldwide, with nearly 10 million new cases every year. In Europe, around 10 million people are currently diagnosed with dementia and this is expected to double by 20304.
The specific symptoms experienced by people with dementia will depend on the disease that is causing the dementia and the parts of the brain that are affected.
Memory loss is one of the most common – and most widely-recognised – symptoms of dementia, but there are lots of other signs to look out for.
If someone experiences persistent memory problems that are considered worse than those expected at their age, but is still able to continue with everyday activities, it is known as mild cognitive impairment (MCI). While people with MCI often go on to develop Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, this isn’t the case for everyone with MCI. This stage is also referred to as the prodromal phase.
Following this, the onset of dementia can be broadly divided into three stages: early, middle and late.
Many forms of dementia are progressive, so the early signs of dementia are often quite subtle and then gradually get worse over time. Early on, symptoms may include forgetfulness and losing track of time, although these are often overlooked or dismissed as normal signs of ageing.
In the middle stage, the symptoms become more noticeable – for example, forgetting people’s names or getting lost at home. Everyday tasks, such as getting dressed or making lunch, may become too much, and behavioural changes like wandering around for no reason or being paranoid can also become more common.
The late stage of dementia is more acute, and often leads to a person becoming highly dependent and inactive. They may not recognise loved ones, have no concept of time or place and struggle to walk and communicate. At this stage, people with dementia usually need full-time care. For some, behaviour may change so much that their personality appears completely different and this can be one of the most difficult aspects for family and friends to adjust to.
A range of different diseases can cause dementia. Many of these are linked to an unusual build-up of proteins in the brain. These proteins can cause a decline in the function of nerve cells, shrinking different areas of the brain.
Each dementia disease is caused in its own way:
Many people worry about developing dementia, especially if a family member has been affected by the condition. However, in most cases, dementia is not directly caused by genes inherited from parents.
In certain types of Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia, a faulty gene that can be passed down within families may cause dementia to develop. However, having an older relative with dementia does not necessarily mean that you will develop it later in life, and many people with dementia have no family history of the condition.
The following risk factors can play a part in who might get dementia:
There is currently no cure for dementia, so for those who are diagnosed with dementia, it is a lifelong condition. However, when an early diagnosis is made, there is a higher chance of being able to reduce the symptoms by finding the right treatment and support than when diagnosis is made later. Various studies have looked at how dementia affects life expectancy, however it is a complicated area because people are usually diagnosed with dementia when they are in their later years, a time when other conditions may also affect their life expectancy. The length of time that someone with dementia can expect to live depends on their age at diagnosis and whether they were diagnosed early in the progression of the disease or later. Research published in the British Medical Journal showed that people diagnosed with dementia between the age of 60 to 69 lived 6.7 years, falling to 1.9 years for those diagnosed at 90 or older8.
Diagnosis of dementia can take time – your doctor will carry out a range of assessments and these may need to be followed up by specialists.
If you are concerned about your own memory or brain function, or that of someone you know, the first step is to talk to your doctor or healthcare professional.
They will start by asking you questions about the changes you have noticed to your memory, as well as any other difficulties you may be experiencing in everyday life. They may also use specific questionnaires to assess your memory, language and orientation abilities. If you’re able to take a friend or relative along with you the doctor may find it helpful to talk to them about what they have noticed too.
There is no set test to find out if you have dementia – instead, your doctor will carry out a range of initial assessments and then refer you to a specialist for further assessments if necessary. This might include a neurologist (who specialises in the brain and nervous system), a geriatrician (who specialises in elderly care), or a psychiatrist or other mental health specialist.
Tests used in the diagnosis of dementia may include:
Often, memory problems can be caused by other factors, such as depression, an infection or an underactive thyroid. Taking these tests helps doctors to rule these out first.
There are many different treatment options for people living with dementia, and these should be tailored to the individual to reflect the type of dementia they have, as well as their specific needs.
A range of medication is available, as well as non-drug treatments such as therapies, activities and support; often a combination of these is the most effective approach.
There is no specific medication to cure dementia, but certain treatments can help reduce some of the symptoms. These include:
In cases of moderate to severe dementia, certain therapies focusing on memory and thinking abilities are often used, which can provide a positive mental boost. Different therapies may include:
Research shows that healthy dietary changes in midlife—such as choosing higher-quality fats, eating more vegetables, and limiting salt and sugar—are associated with a reduced risk of dementia later in life.
People living with dementia should also be encouraged to eat healthily—a nutritious diet not only affects physical health but can also influence brain health. Try to eat a balanced diet rich in vegetables (especially leafy greens), whole grains, fish, nuts, berries, and poultry.
If you are caring for someone with dementia, it can be challenging to encourage them to eat a balanced diet. As mental abilities decline, the person with dementia may forget to eat or drink, have difficulty cooking, or find the physical act of eating more difficult.
Tastes and appetite can also change dramatically. It is important to make mealtimes enjoyable, so strike a balance between foods that are most liked and healthy choices to ensure nutritional needs are met.
Exercise is not only an important factor in preventing dementia, but it also plays a crucial role in treatment and care. People with dementia tend to have more physical health problems than those of the same age without dementia, so staying active is extremely important.
Different types of exercise may be appropriate depending on the stage of dementia the person is in. In mild and moderate dementia, many individuals will be as physically capable as before and can enjoy gardening, dancing, walking, and many sports activities. However, this can change significantly in the later stages. Modified seated exercises and simple movements to improve balance and support can be beneficial.
Research has shown that healthy lifestyle choices such as healthy diet, exercise, cognitive stimulation, low alcohol consumption and not smoking may decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s dementia10. The research found that simple modifications to a person’s lifestyle may reduce the risk of dementia, and that combining a range of different lifestyle factors could be the most effective method of prevention. For example, when four or five lifestyle factors were combined, it could reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s by 60% compared to adopting none or only one factor. A 2020 report on dementia prevention, intervention, and care commissioned by the Lancet came to similar conclusions. The report identified 12 ‘modifiable risk factors’ that account for around 40% of worldwide dementias, which could theoretically be prevented or delayed. The report emphasises the importance of prevention and stresses that it is never too early – or too late – for people to take preventative measures linked to these 12 risk factors: less education, hypertension, hearing impairment, smoking, obesity, depression, physical inactivity, diabetes, low social contact, excessive alcohol consumption, traumatic brain injury and air pollution. Some of the key preventative measures that were recommended to be taken by individuals included:
There is ongoing research to find a cure for dementia and many studies into finding new medication. Alongside the race to find a new treatment, there has been good progress into the understanding and awareness of dementia. This includes the discovery of a new type of dementia, called LATE11, and the development of a simple blood test that is 94% accurate12 in detecting Alzheimer’s disease long before brain scans are able to.
National Parkinson Foundation. Parkinson’s dementia. Accessed February 2021. https://www.parkinson.org/sites/default/files/PD%20Dementia.pdf
World Health Organization. Areas of work: dementia. Accessed January 2021. https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/noncommunicable-diseases/mental-health/areas-of-work/dementia
Alzheimer's