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You deal with a lot of problems in your life, but health ones should always come first. That’s why you may neglect some illnesses or not give them as much importance. However, it is also important to think about your blood vessels, because you can very easily help clog them.
Dementia is associated with ageing; Alzheimer’s disease is probably the classic one that springs to mind. But there is another type that has equally serious health effects. This is vascular dementia, which is caused by blocked blood vessels. You may not be aware of this, but very often you yourself are contributing to it by your lifestyle.
Vascular dementia is a syndrome that affects thought processes such as memory, reasoning, planning and judgement as a result of blocked blood vessels and consequent impaired blood flow to the brain.
Disturbances in blood circulation in the brain can lead to strokes, in which an artery in the brain becomes blocked, or heart attacks. Vascular dementia accounts for about 10% of cases of dementia and in many cases occurs alongside other types of dementia.
━━ Vascular dementia affects problem-solving ability and thinking speed.
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Blocked blood vessels are the result of a build-up of a substance called arterial plaque on their inner walls. Consequently, blood flow is reduced, or in worse cases, blood flow may be completely prevented.
Problems with your blood vessels are commonly self-inflicted, as they are primarily influenced by your lifestyle. These factors include unhealthy diet, smoking, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. All of these can lead to clogged and damaged blood vessels, and therefore vascular dementia.
Symptoms of vascular dementia are often mixed with symptoms of other dementia. However, it is usually not mainly memory problems, but rather problem-solving ability and speed of thought.
Common symptoms of vascular dementia include confusion, problems with concentration and attention, reduced ability to organise thoughts, slowed thinking, or difficulties with memory, organisation and decision-making. Other signs include restlessness, depression, apathy or unsteady gait.
Can it be avoided? The answer is not a definite yes. It depends on your lifestyle and prevention. If you try to live in a way that avoids the problem, the risk can be minimal.
