Dementia Articles

Medically reviewed by Melissa Guarnaccia, LCSW

What is dementia?

The loss of cognitive functioning, or dementia, does not describe a single disorder or disease. Rather, this neurodegenerative condition is an umbrella term that describes the loss of cognitive functioning to a point where it interferes with a person’s daily life. Dementia comprises several distinct diagnoses, many of which are progressive disorders that are currently irreversible and incurable. However, almost all forms of dementia are treatable, meaning that its symptoms can be managed.

According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 55 million people have dementia worldwide. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and could contribute up to 70% of cases.

Symptoms of dementia

Dementia is most commonly associated with memory loss, which is one of many possible symptoms. Other symptoms may include the loss of executive functioning, motor skills, and emotional reasoning. A person with dementia might also display illogical thought processes, act erratically, or experience visual hallucinations.

Dementia varies in severity from person to person. At the most advanced stages of dementia, individuals may require assistance from others for essential tasks like bathing and eating. The following is a non-exhaustive list of other potential symptoms:

• Memory loss.
• Confusion and disorientation.
• Personality changes.
• Depression.
• Anxiety.
• Agitation.
• Paranoia.
• Repeatedly asking the same question or making the same remark.
• Trouble communicating with others and/or decline in language skills.
• Trouble with logical reasoning or problem-solving skills.
• Difficulty finding the right words for everyday objects.
• Forgetting the names of significant people in a person’s life.
• Difficulty handling tasks or instructions.
• Misjudging distances visually.
• Hallucinations.

The signs and symptoms of dementia can vary depending on a person’s primary diagnosis. Here is a non exhaustive list of diagnoses related to dementia:

• Alzheimer’s disease.
• Vascular dementia.
• Frontotemporal dementia.
• Mixed dementia.
• Lewy body dementia.
• Parkinson’s disease.
• Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Causes of dementia and comorbid conditions

Age is the strongest known risk factor for dementia, although it does not exclusively affect older people. Up to 9% of cases affect people under the age of 65. Smoking, alcohol use, being overweight, not eating nutritiously, not being physically active, and high blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar are other known causes of dementia. Other risk factors include depression, cognitive inactivity, social isolation, and air pollution. But not all risk factors are environmental. An individual’s family and medical histories can render some prone to the onset of dementia.

Alzheimer’s disease

One of the most common contributors to dementia is Alzheimer's disease and, in people over 65, the most likely cause. Age is the strongest known risk factor in developing Alzheimer’s disease. Other unchangeable risk factors include family history, genetics, and sex. While Alzheimer’s disease does not have a cure, there are therapeutic interventions that can slow its progression.

Alzheimer’s disease is a relatively common neurodegenerative condition. According to the Alzheimer’s Association,  age 65 and older are living with the disease, nearly two-thirds of whom are women. There is also a known brain-to-heart health link, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Vascular dementia

Vascular dementia is the second-most common cause of dementia. This neurodegenerative condition occurs when blood vessels in the brain become damaged, cutting off blood flow and oxygen supply. This damage can be caused by a brain injury or stroke. While it occurs most frequently in older adults, vascular dementia can occur in younger people as well. In addition to the most common causes listed above, atrial fibrillation and other types of heart disease are known risk factors for vascular dementia.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, vascular dementia is also strongly linked with Alzheimer’s and Lewy body dementia — only 5% to 10% of people are diagnosed with vascular dementia alone. However, it is more common for this type of dementia to be diagnosed as mixed dementia.

Head trauma

Extensive research has shown that traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) may contribute to or cause the onset of dementia, though there is scientific disagreement as to how much. One study stated that people who have experienced a moderate or severe TBI increase their risk of dementia between 1.3- and 3.7-fold, while others find no such association. It has been scientifically suggested that sports involving repeated blows to the head, such as football and soccer, may contribute to the onset of dementia, but this claim has yet to be scientifically substantiated.

Treatable conditions that cause dementia

Autoimmune diseases and infections

Cognitive impairment is a common symptom of diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), meaning that having one such disease increases the risk of developing dementia or dementia-like symptoms.

It has been suggested that a narrow range of bacterial and viral infections can contribute to the pathogenesis of dementia, but research on this topic is very limited.

Metabolic issues and endocrine problems

Metabolic issues, such as thyroid conditions, are associated with an increased risk of dementia. In one study, individuals with a risk of hypothyroidism were associated with an 81% increased risk of having dementia.

Nutritional deficiencies, including deficiencies in B vitamins — particularly folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 — may contribute to an increased risk of dementia. It is worth noting that those who drink excessive amounts of alcohol are commonly thiamine (vitamin B1) deficient.

Other metabolic issues, such as Addison’s disease, low blood sugar, high calcium, and more, are also possible causes of dementia.

Prevention of dementia

Because many dementia diagnoses are irreversible and incurable, prevention can play a key role in mitigating risk. While there is no guaranteed way to prevent dementia, there are several lifestyle choices that may reduce the risk of developing dementia or delay its onset:

• Stay physically active.
• Maintain a nutritious diet.
• Engage in mental stimulation.
• Remain socially engaged.
• Get quality sleep.
• Manage chronic health conditions (e.g., diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol).
• Limit alcohol consumption.
• Avoid smoking.
• Protect the head.
• Get regular health checkups.

For some types of dementia, laboratory tests may help to identify risk factors and the potential for its development. Conducting blood tests and brain scans can help catch early signs of dementia and diagnose it earlier.

Counseling

Whether you are living with the early stages of dementia or know a loved one living with the condition, talking to a licensed mental health counselor can help you navigate its challenges. It can be difficult to experience or watch a loved one experience diminishing cognitive function. In either case, a mental health professional can provide emotional support as you move toward acceptance and adjust to this change.

Treating a loved one with dementia can be complicated. Online counseling may be an excellent option to explore for caregivers who are unable or do not want to commute to a therapist’s office. Talking to an online therapist via services like BetterHelp can provide guidance to caregivers as they aid their loved one who is experiencing dementia. Some online providers specialize in working with family caregivers of people with dementia to significantly reduce their symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Takeaway

Dementia is an umbrella term for various neurodegenerative conditions that interfere with daily life. Symptoms of dementia can vary and include loss of cognitive function, memory, and motor skills, among others, and may result in personality changes. Common causes of dementia include unchangeable factors like genetics, family history, and sex but can also be brought on by environmental factors such as alcohol consumption and traumatic brain injury. Because many forms of dementia are progressive and currently irreversible and incurable, prevention can be key in mitigating the risks.