Most people believe dementia to be a single, specific disease. That’s far from the truth. The term dementia is used to describe a group of symptoms that affect cognitive, memory, language, and thinking abilities. Further, its severity can differ from one person to another. This means the condition can be mild for some and severe for others. Dementia can affect older adults, but the condition is not a part of the aging process.

Symptoms of dementia
Generally, the symptoms of dementia occur when healthy neurons in the brain stop functioning, lose contact with other cells, get damaged, or die. While the decrease of neurons is normal as one ages, in the case of dementia patients, the loss can be extreme. Here are some signs of dementia to look out for:

• Memory loss affecting day-to-day activities
  Sometimes, people can forget names, appointments, and even phone numbers, only to recollect them later. But for those affected with dementia, memory loss can affect daily activities. For instance, in the earlier stages, one may not recollect information they had learned recently. Besides this, patients can experience issues processing information and making decisions based on them, thus affecting one’s quality of life. And as the condition progresses, memory loss can become severe enough to hamper relationships.
• Trouble with language
  Another common symptom of dementia is language-related problems. Patients begin to demonstrate issues with finding words and making cohesive statements. This can make it difficult for the patient to communicate with others.
  Over and above this, some subtypes of dementia, like frontotemporal dementia, can cause patients to experience difficulties in understanding and using written or spoken language. This can lead to problems with word meanings and naming objects.
• Impaired judgment
  Typically, impaired judgment refers to an inability to make proper decisions. So, dementia patients may not be able to evaluate different factors to make an informed decision. Some clear examples of impaired judgment include safety and danger recognition, reduction in social interactions, finances related issues, and a lack of personal hygiene.
  But while looking out for this particular symptom of dementia, one must remember that a poor sense of judgment does not stem from a single instance. Instead, it signifies a pattern of wrong or inappropriate decision-making by the patient.

In addition to the symptoms mentioned above, one must keep an eye out for poor coordination, disorientation, confusion, loss of interest in daily activities, and repetition of questions.

Causes of dementia
As mentioned previously, the development of dementia occurs due to certain changes in the brain that can cause the neurons to stop communicating or working. This has been associated with certain risk factors, such as:

• Age
  Some types of dementia, especially Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, have a higher development risk as one grows older. Moreover, healthcare professionals have noticed Alzheimer’s patients have tangles and plaques in the brain, which can damage healthy cells and even the connecting fibers. This further leads to issues with memory and other associated symptoms.
• Family history
  According to researchers, some genes carry a higher risk of developing dementia. So, when these gene changes are passed from parent to child, it heightens the child’s risk of developing dementia in the future. This means if one has siblings or parents with dementia, they may have a higher risk of developing the disease.
• Atherosclerosis
  Generally, the buildup of plaque or other fatty substances (cholesterol) in the inner lining of the artery is known as atherosclerosis. When this develops in patients, it can interfere with blood flow to the brain, causing significant damage to the white matter fibers.
• Head injuries/trauma
  Among people aged 50 and above, the third most common cause of dementia is head injuries. In such cases, the nature of dementia and its symptoms can vary according to the injury site. But, most patients with head injury-related dementia have shown improvements over time. This progress can be slow; the recovery period can range between a few months and years.

Other potential causes of dementia are diabetes, poor heart health, and certain vitamin deficiencies.

Prevention of dementia
Although there are no sure ways to prevent the onset of dementia, one can take certain steps that can prove helpful. These include:

• Increase in physical activity
  When it comes to dementia, physical activity can be beneficial in delaying its onset and decreasing its effects. But here, one must keep in mind that these changes may be noticed gradually. Hence, it’s suggested that one try to achieve at least 150 minutes of exercise per week.
• Keep the mind active
  Typically, when one develops the habit of performing mind-stimulating activities, it can delay the onset of dementia. And if done regularly, there are chances of decreasing its effects. So, whenever one gets time, try simple activities such as solving puzzles, reading books, and playing word games to stimulate the mind.
• Manage vitamin deficiency
  Research indicates that people with vitamin deficiencies, especially vitamin D, have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Therefore, one of the best ways to prevent the onset of the symptoms leading to dementia is to increase vitamin intake. This can be achieved by consuming supplements or vitamin-D-rich foods like sardines, tuna, salmon, egg yolk, and mackerel.

Finally, as dementia is a progressive disease, one must look out for its early signs. If any of them are noticed in the early stages, one must consult a licensed professional immediately. This way, one can ensure the diagnosis of the underlying condition in its initial stages. This can further pave the way for a treatment plan that caters to the needs of the patient.