Dementia is a collective term used to describe an aggregation of symptoms that impair an individual’s ability to think, recall and reason. This could include loss of memory, language or problem-solving skills. It can be triggered by multiple conditions that affect the brain, destroying nerve cells over time, Alzheimer’s Disease being the most common cause, accounting for 60 to 80% of dementia cases.

While the symptoms can range from moderate to severe, dementia indeed hampers one’s day-to-day living with the associated memory loss, language problem and confusion. True, the elderly are more prone to the condition, but dementia isn’t necessarily a part of growing old. While the condition has no cure till date, many of the symptoms could be addressed effectively.

Common symptoms of dementia (cognitive & psychological)

Cognitive

# Loss of memory, normally others notice

# Problems with communicating, fumbling with words

# Trouble with visual and spatial abilities, like getting lost while walking or driving

# Difficulties with reasoning and problem-solving

# Inability to perform complex tasks

# Not able to organize or plan things

# Lack of proper coordination and control over movements

# Feeling of disorientation and confusion

Psychological

# Changes in personality

# Being depressed

# Feeling of constant anxiety

# Easily agitated

# Behaving inappropriately

# Being suspicious of everything/everybody

# Suffering from hallucinations

Dementia can be precipitated by a clutch of diseases that damage brain cells. This destruction impairs the ability of brain cells to communicate with each other. When that happens, behaviour, thinking and emotions can be affected.

What are the risk factors for dementia?

Risk factors beyond our control:

#Age: The risk of dementia typically increases with age, and those above 65 are particularly vulnerable.

#Family history: You are at a greater risk of developing dementia if there’s a family history of the condition.

#Down Syndrome: Early onset of Alzheimer’s Disease is quite common in individuals with Down Syndrome, even in middle-age.

Kidney health and wellness

Risk factors that can be controlled:

#Healthy lifestyle: Those at a higher risk of dementia can reduce their chances of cognitive decline by following a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and exercise regimen.

#Reducing alcohol intake: Copious quantities of alcohol intake is historically linked to brain changes. Research has revealed that alcohol-related disorders increase the risk of early-onset dementia.

#Cardiovascular conditions: Cardiovascular risk factors like obesity, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol levels, plaque buildup in the artery walls (atherosclerosis) are all known to increase the risk of developing dementia.

#Untreated hearing or vision loss: If a hearing-loss condition is left untreated for long, it amplifies the risk of dementia. A similar risk has been linked to untreated vision loss in recent studies.

#Depression: Signs of depression in old age can sometimes indicate onset of dementia.

#Pollution: Studies have revealed that sustained exposure to air pollution, especially traffic exhaust and burning wood, can be linked to risk of dementia.

#Head injury: Anyone who has suffered a severe head trauma runs a greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease. Those above 50 with a history of a traumatic brain injury, are at a higher risk for Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia.

#Sleep disturbances: Those suffering from sleep apnoea or other sleep disorders, might be at an increased risk of developing dementia.

#Vitamin deficiency: It is established that deficiency of vitamins D, B-6, B-12 and folate can raise the risk of dementia.

#Sleep medication: Some sleep medications which contain diphenhydramine like Benadryl and certain other medicines to treat urinary urgency like oxybutynin can also elevate the risk of dementia.