Vascular dementia - problems of elderly and senile age

Dementia is one of the most urgent problems of modern psychiatry and neurology. Its importance is due to a significant increase in the number of people in the elderly and senile age categories, among whom the prevalence of the disease is particularly high.

Vascular dementia, By definition, this is a significant deterioration of cognitive (intellectual) abilities, which cause a person's disadaptation in everyday life. Therefore, it is obvious that it leads to a significant deterioration in the quality of life of these people. In addition, mortality among such patients is higher than the average mortality rate in the category of elderly people.

Vascular dementia: causes of

Vascular dementia arises from the death of cells under the cerebral cortex, which are not adequately supplied with nutrients and oxygen. The process occurs as a result of blockage in the white matter of the brain of small blood vessels, which causes blood circulation to deteriorate. Nutrients and oxygen eventually do not reach the cells and neurons, and this leads to a decrease in mental abilities. The exact cause of the disease is not revealed, but the factors that are important in its occurrence are known: high (or too low) blood pressure, which disrupts the normal blood supply to the brain, blood clots, diabetes, smoking, cardiovascular diseases.

Vascular dementia: symptoms

The development of dementia is a frequent complication due to a stroke. Its main manifestations are as follows:

• Lower memory;
• Speech impairment;
• Problems with logical thinking,
• Depression and apathy;
• Disorientation;
• Paranoia;
• Difficulty in swallowing and weakness in the limbs;
• Inactivity;
• Disruption of coordination.

Vascular dementia: treatment

There are no standard methods of treating the disease, but it is possible to alleviate the symptoms and reduce the risk factors that will slow the progress of the disease and improve the quality of life of the patient. Progression of the disease can even be stopped if you manage to eliminate the risk factors. For example, to prevent strokes and heart attacks, doctors prescribe drugs that control cholesterol and blood pressure. Drugs can monitor cardiac arrhythmia or prevent thrombosis.

Considerable importance is given to the prevention of vascular dementia: it is necessary to regularly check the level of cholesterol (about once a year), regularly measure blood pressure and take measures both in cases with increased and too low rates. It is recommended to follow a diet and eat less salt and fats, stop smoking and alcohol.

Senile dementia

Senile dementia is a progressive total dementia. The onset of the disease is usually slow, subtle, resembling the personality shifts characteristic of natural aging, but, in contrast, more pronounced, exaggerated and rapidly progressing. Patients, in this period, attach stinginess, callousness, the gathering of unnecessary old things, caricature egocentrism. Past interests and hobbies are lost, sullen and irritable mood prevails, appetite is unreasonably increased, natural biological needs are disinhibited. Such pathological changes in personality are typical of senile dementia.

Further, amnesia can result, leading to disorientation in time and the surrounding environment. Later, there is an upset of orientation in one's own personality, when patients do not recognize their reflection in the mirror. Memory is lost so much that they do not remember their own name, children, their age, profession, where they live. Speech is upset, turning into a meaningless chatter. Patients are overwhelmed by memories of youth, adolescence and everything that happens around them they begin to perceive and evaluate in this perspective. Can at this time leave the house and not find the way back, can commit arson of housing, its flooding and other inadequate actions.

Some patients live to marasmus. At this stage they are indifferent, almost immobile, can lie in an embryonic posture and become practically inaccessible to verbal contact. Such patients need supervision, constant monitoring and, of course, patient care.