About Dementia
- They are not acute
- They affect memory
- They cause a decline in one’s ability to function
- They cause cells in the brain to die, shrinking the size of the brain over time
There are four types of dementia, each with distinct triggers and symptoms.
Alzheimer’s: The most prevalent type, Alzheimer’s accounts for 60 percent of newly diagnosed dementias today. Difficulty with short-term memory, procedures, and naming are typical symptoms.
Vascular: Vascular dementia occurs when blood vessels above the neck that carry oxygen to the brain are blocked, causing brain tissue to die. Difficulty concentrating, finding words, or completing complex tasks are initial red flags.
Symptoms
Progressive brain cell death due to Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. Other causes include:
Memory loss is less about memories disappearing and more about an inability to effectively create new memories for recent events. People with this type of “working” memory loss ask the same question repeatedly.
Causes
People with dementia typically exhibit two early warning signs: difficulty with short-term memory and difficulty with naming. These symptoms are red flags signaling the beginning stages of dementia.
- Stroke
- Brain tumor
- Traumatic head injury