Vascular dementia is a type of disorder that arises in several areas of the brain and that happens mainly due to the decrease in blood circulation in these places. For this reason, this type of dementia is more frequent in people who have had a stroke, giving rise to symptoms such as difficulty in performing day-to-day activities, loss of memory and difficulty in speaking.
This type of dementia is irreversible, however it is possible to be treated in order to delay progression, being indicated by the doctor measures that can reduce the chances of stroke, such as stopping smoking, practicing regular physical activities and having a balanced diet.
Main symptoms
Vascular dementia is characterized by small interruptions in blood flow, called infarction, that occur in the brain throughout life and that can result in dementia. The lack of blood in the brain leads to neurological consequences that can result in dependence, such as:
- Memory loss; Difficulty speaking; Difficulty performing simple daily activities, such as walking and eating, for example, generating dependency; Malnutrition, as there may be difficulty in swallowing; Lack of attention; Imbalance; Increased chances of Coordination problems.
Vascular dementia is a progressive disease with irreversible symptoms that is usually the result of a stroke, which occurs mainly due to situations that can interfere with circulation, such as high blood pressure, diabetes or smoking, for example. See what are the main causes of stroke.
The diagnosis of vascular dementia is made by means of neurological and imaging exams, such as magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography, in addition to the doctor assessing the symptoms presented by the patient and the habits of life.
Who is at higher risk of vascular dementia
The risk of developing vascular-type dementia is greater in people who have some type of factor that can decrease blood circulation in the brain. For this reason, many of these factors are the same as those identified for stroke, including smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, high-fat diet and lack of exercise, for example.
How the treatment is done
The treatment of vascular dementia is done with the objective of preventing the progression of the disease and relieving the symptoms, since there is no cure. It is also possible to prevent the occurrence of stroke and, consequently, vascular dementia through some attitudes that can be implemented in daily life, such as the practice of physical activities and balanced and healthy eating. Understand how stroke treatment is done.
In addition, the doctor can indicate specific medications that can treat underlying diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, which are factors that increase the chance of having a stroke in the future.
