As we age, we all begin to forget some things. In the chaos of everyday life, everyone happens to be distracted and forget, which is not a problem. The problem occurs when this happens systematically and memory loss intensifies over time, this can be an early sign of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. In general, dementia is a condition in which a person loses memory, mental ability and ability to cope with daily activities. Dementia is not a single disease, it is a general term that covers several medical conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease. The disorders that are grouped in this common term dementia are caused by unusual changes in the brain. These changes cause a decrease in cognitive abilities, the ability to process thoughts, beyond what is expected in normal aging. Dementia does not affect consciousness, but memory, thinking, orientation, comprehension, calculation, learning ability, language and judgment. This disease has a physical, psychological, social and economic impact not only on the sick, but also on their carers, families and society as a whole.

There are nearly 10 million new cases of people with dementia each year. Dementia can be the result of a variety of diseases and injuries that affect mainly or secondarily the brain, such as Alzheimer’s disease or stroke. The Alzheimer’s disease is still the most common type of senile dementia, but elderly men are also at risk for vascular dementia. The problems are related to the damage to the blood vessels in the brain. It develops when narrowed blood vessels cannot deliver enough oxygen to the brain. This in turn leads to a series of microstrokes that kill brain cells and causes confusion and speech and memory problems in adults. About 15-20% of cases of senile dementia are cases of vascular dementia.

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Stages and symptoms associated with dementia:

1) Early stage. The early stage of dementia is often overlooked as the onset is gradual. Common symptoms include:

  • forgetting
  • loss of idea of time
  • you may get lost in familiar places.

2) Intermediate stage. As dementia progresses to the middle stage, the signs and symptoms become clearer and more prominent. They include:

  • you forget the latest events and the names of your loved ones
  • you may get lost at home
  • you find it difficult to communicate with others
  • behavioral changes, including wandering and recurring questions.

3) Late stage. The late stage of dementia includes complete dependence and inaction. Memory impairment is severe and physical signs and symptoms become more apparent. Symptoms include:

  • the time and place of your whereabouts are unknown
  • you have difficulty recognizing relatives and friends
  • the need for an assistant to meet daily needs is growing
  • difficulty walking
  • you experience behavioral changes that may escalate and include aggression.

If preventive measures are not taken, none of us are assured that we will not enter the early stages of dementia.

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Here are some factors that can lead to dementia:

  • diabetes
  • genetics / family history
  • bad cholesterol
  • poor blood pressure control
  • smoking
  • alcohol
  • Overweight
  • insufficient sleep
  • depression
  • social isolation
  • lack of creative activity
  • age after 55 years. After each subsequent year, the number of patients with dementia doubles. Prevention needs to be done from the age of 45.

1 in every 3 cases can be prevented with appropriate prevention.

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What can you do on a daily basis to prevent dementia?

  • Take new walks. Remember to change routes and choose new directions every time you leave home. It is necessary to stimulate the brain constantly, doing new and new things to break the routine. Lack of regular physical activity may increase the risk of heart disease, overweight, obesity or type 2 diabetes, which are associated with a higher risk of dementia.
  • Start eating right if you haven’t already. The Mediterranean diet can delay, stop, improve the onset of the first symptoms of dementia by several years.
  • Read books, newspapers, magazines, solve crossword puzzles, play various games that develop cognitive skills.
  • Stay socially engaged. Even during a pandemic, following measures, you can go to sports, theater, cinema or other places. In this way you will break away from everyday life and create new contacts.
  • Stop smoking and drinking alcohol. The Korsakov syndrome is a specific form of alcohol-related brain damage that can be a prerequisite for alcoholic dementia. Systemic alcohol consumption helps to develop depression, which in turn is a prerequisite for dementia. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol increases the risk of stroke, heart disease and some cancers, as well as damage to the nervous system.
  • Exercise actively. Adults who do not exercise are more likely to have problems with memory and cognitive abilities. Perform at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity a day, such as brisk walking, cycling, fitness, or dancing. It is good to do strengthening exercises at least twice a week, such as gardening, yoga, climbing stairs, etc.

In 10 years, the number of people with dementia is projected to exceed 80 million worldwide. There is currently no treatment available to treat the disease or to change its progressive course. Many new treatments are being investigated at various stages of clinical trials.

However, much can be offered to support and improve the lives of people with dementia and their carers and families. The main goal in the treatment of Alzheimer’s and dementia is early diagnosis in order to promote early and optimal management, as well as optimize physical health, knowledge, activity and well-being.