Search results
Worried about memory problems. Becoming forgetful doesn't mean you have dementia. Memory loss can be caused by physical or mental health problems, and sometimes it's a just a normal sign of ageing. But it's always better to know.
NHS information about memory loss (amnesia), including advice about what to do if you have problems with your memory and what the cause might be.
- Overview
- Warning signs of dementia
- What causes dementia?
- Dementia risk factors
- Types of dementia
- When to contact a doctor
- Dementia prevention
- The bottom line
Dementia is a broad term for conditions that can impair someone’s ability to remember, process information, and speak. Some people are more likely to get Alzheimer’s disease while others tend to get other dementia types.
According to the World Health Organization, more than 55 million people worldwide live with dementia, and more than 10 million new cases are diagnosed every year. And while Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, it’s not the only cause.
Although dementia symptoms can vary due to the underlying cause, some key symptoms are common warning signs of this condition.
This article will take a closer look at 11 of the most common warning signs of dementia, as well as the causes, risks factors, and ways to prevent it.
Having memory problems alone doesn’t mean you have dementia. You need to have at least two types of impairments that significantly interfere with your everyday life to be diagnosed with dementia.
In addition to issues with memory, someone with dementia may also have impairments that affect their:
•language skills
•communication
•focus
•reasoning and problem-solving abilities
In essence, dementia is caused by damage to the nerve cells in your brain.
But dementia is not one single condition. It’s essentially an umbrella term that covers a wide range of cognitive disorders. This includes Alzheimer’s disease, which accounts for 60 to 80 percent of cases, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Damage to nerve cells in the brain can have many causes, including but not limited to:
•the accumulation of specific types of proteins in the brain
•lack of blood flow to the brain
•trauma to the head
You can’t control some risk factors of dementia, such as your age, sex, gender, and family history. But other risk factors are what experts refer to as “modifiable risk factors.” This means that you have a chance to change them.
The most common risk factors include:
•Age. According to a 2020 study, increasing age is the biggest known risk factor for dementia. The majority of people with dementia are over the age of 65, and the risk of this condition increases as you get older.
•Sex and gender. A 2016 review suggests that women are at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, while men seem to have a higher risk of developing other kinds of dementia, such as Lewy body dementia.
•Family history. A family history of dementia is a known risk factor for several kinds of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, the second most common cause of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease. Frontotemporal dementia also has a genetic element.
•Vascular issues. According to 2005 research, specific factors that affect the health of your veins and arteries may increase your risk of dementia. These risk factors include:
The different types of dementia include the following:
•Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of dementia. Symptoms tend to progress gradually and cause slow decline, although it can progress more rapidly in some people.
•Vascular dementia. Vascular dementia occurs when not enough oxygen gets to the brain. Stroke is one possible cause, but anything that impedes blood flow, such as narrowed blood vessels, can contribute to this condition.
•Lewy body dementia. Lewy body dementia occurs when unusual amounts of a protein known as alpha-synuclein begin to collect in the brain. You may have trouble processing information and develop other symptoms, such as muscle stiffness and tremors.
•Brain damage due to injury or stroke. When the brain is deprived of oxygen during an episode like a stroke or from an injury, brain cells begin to die, causing damage to the brain.
•Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). CTE develops after repeated incidents of head trauma. It can cause symptoms such as dementia and memory loss, as well as mood swings, paranoia, and feelings of aggression.
Forgetfulness and memory problems don’t automatically point to dementia. Memory lapses are a normal part of aging and can also occur due to other factors, such as:
•fatigue
•lack of concentration
•multitasking
Still, don’t ignore the symptoms. If you or someone you know is experiencing a number of dementia symptoms that aren’t improving or are getting worse, talk with a doctor.
Your doctor or healthcare professional will likely refer you to a neurologist. A neurologist can examine you or your loved one’s physical and mental health and determine whether the symptoms are caused by dementia or some other cognitive issue. A neurologist may order:
Although there’s no tried-and-tested way to prevent the onset of dementia, you can take steps to reduce your risk of developing this condition. This includes:
•Staying mentally active. Try to keep your mind active with word puzzles, memory games, and reading.
•Staying physically active. According to 2021 research, people who exercise regularly may be a lot less likely to develop dementia compared with people who don’t get much physical activity.
•Not smoking. If you smoke, quitting can improve your vascular health as well as many other aspects of your overall health and well-being.
•Boosting your intake of vitamin D. Take a daily vitamin D supplement or eat foods that are good sources of vitamin D.
•Eating a balanced diet. A healthy diet has many benefits, including boosting your brain health. To lower your risk of dementia, try to eat a diet that’s rich in:
Dementia isn’t one condition. Instead, it encompasses a number of different conditions that affect the brain. These conditions cause cognitive decline that affects a person’s memory, communication abilities, thought patterns, and behavior.
It’s not uncommon to hear the terms “dementia” and “Alzheimer’s disease” used interchangeably. But they are not the same. Alzheimer’s disease does indeed cause the majority of dementia cases, but many other disorders can affect a person’s memory or ability to process information.
- Valencia Higuera
Talking about memory loss, and the possibility of dementia, can be difficult. Someone who is experiencing these symptoms may be confused, unaware they have any problems, worried, or struggling to accept their condition.
Apr 3, 2024 · Often, memory loss that disrupts your life is one of the first or more recognizable symptoms of dementia. Other early symptoms might include: Asking the same questions often.
Get advice and information, whether you are worried about your memory, waiting for a referral or already diagnosed. Call our support line to speak to a trained adviser; Visit our online forum to hear from people in the same situation
if I’m worried? Many of the things that cause memory problems can be treated. It is important to see your doctor if: • your memory has changed significantly or rapidly from what is ‘normal’ for you • your memory has been getting steadily worse over a period of time • your memory is causing new problems in your life,
