Vascular Dementia- Everything you need to know

Vascular Dementia is a common form of Dementia caused by an impaired supply of blood to the brain, may be due to a series of small strokes. It may also result from endocarditis (an infection of the heart’s inner lining, usually the heart valves.), genetic diseases or amyloid angiopathy ( it is a condition in which proteins called amyloid build up on the walls of the arteries in the brain sometimes resulting in a hemorrhagic stroke). In many cases Vascular Dementia can exist side by side with Alzheimer’s. According to the Alzheimer's Association, Vascular Dementia is the second most common form of dementia diagnosis after Alzheimer’s in senior people.

The main symptom of dementia, that is memory loss may not be present in Vascular Dementia..Stroke sometimes reduces the blood flow to some areas of the brain impacting speech, balance, and thinking capacity of a person.

Vascular Dementia Symptoms

• Confusion

• Trouble paying attention and concentrating

• Reduced ability to organize thoughts or actions

• Problems with memory and decision making

• Restlessness and agitation

• Depression or apathy

• Difficulty with organization

• Walking unsteadily

Types of Vascular Dementia

The types of vascular dementia and their signs and symptoms may vary. Let us have a close look at some of them

Multi Infarct Dementia (MID)

It occurs when a series of small strokes causes a loss of brain function. It can cause memory loss and loss of cognitive function and can start psychological problems.

Single- Infarct Dementia

Sometimes suffering a massive stroke can damage a specific area of the brain enough and cause dementia. This dementia is more common when a stroke occurs on the left side of the brain or when it involves the hippocampus (the elongated ridges on the floor of each lateral ventricle of the brain, thought to be the center of emotion, memory and the autonomic nervous system)

Binswanger’s Disease

It is also called subcortical vascular dementia which is caused by widespread, microscopic areas of damage to the deep layers of white matter in the brain. This damage is the result of the thickening and narrowing of arteries that feed the subcortical areas of the brain. People with Binswanger’s often show abnormal blood pressure, stroke, memory loss Other symptoms may include difficulty walking, clumsiness, lack of facial expression and speech difficulty. These symptoms usually begin after the age of 60, and may sometimes be temporary. Treatment of this disease is based on symptoms. Doctors may prescribe medications to control high blood pressure, arrhythmias, depression etc.

Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL)

This type of vascular dementia is an inherited condition that causes stroke, migraine with aura and mood disorders. The first symptom usually appears in people who are in their twenties, thirties or forties. Affected individuals often die by age 65. The symptoms may include decreased mental ability (thinking, understanding), behavioral changes, confusion etc. According to researchers most people with CADASIL go undiagnosed and the actual prevalence of the disease is not yet known.

Managing Vascular Dementia

Vascular Dementia has no cure like any other form of dementia. Controlling the risk factors that may increase the chance of damage to the blood vessels of the brain is an important treatment strategy, like controlling blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol etc. Also, it is necessary to maintain a healthy body weight. If your senior loved ones have Vascular Dementia, Elder Care Services in Kolkata provide psychotherapy services by certified professional psychotherapists that you can avail for your senior loved one to make them feel better and relaxed.

This is all you need to know about Vascular Dementia and how you can manage it to make senior loved ones feel relaxed and comfortable.

Debosree is a professional writer working in the Senior Care Field for quite a long time. She has written many informative blogs and articles on the senior care facilities that are available. He has a great reader base.