Amnesia With Loss of Memory of Family Caused by High Blood Pressure

What is vascular dementia?

Vascular dementia is the second virtually common form of dementia after Alzheimer'south affliction. Information technology'due south caused when decreased blood menstruum amercement encephalon tissue. Claret flow to encephalon tissue may be reduced past a partial blockage or completely blocked past a blood clot.

Symptoms of vascular dementia may develop gradually, or may become apparent after a stroke or major surgery, such as eye bypass surgery or intestinal surgery.

Dementia and other related diseases and conditions are hard to tell apart considering they share similar signs and symptoms. Although vascular dementia is caused by problems with blood flow to the brain, this claret flow problem can develop in different means. Examples of vascular dementia include:

• Mixed dementia. This type occurs when symptoms of both vascular dementia and Alzheimer's exist.
• Multi-infarct dementia. This occurs afterwards repeated minor, often "silent," blockages bear upon blood period to a certain part of the brain. The changes that occur after each blockage may not exist apparent, only over time, the combined effect starts to cause symptoms of impairment. Multi-infarct dementia is too chosen vascular cerebral impairment.

The effect of decreased or no blood menstruation on the brain depends on the size and location of the area affected. If a very modest surface area in a office of the encephalon that controls retentivity is afflicted, for example, you lot may exist "forgetful" just it doesn't necessarily change your power to carry on normal activities. If a larger area is affected, you may accept problem thinking clearly or solving problems, or greater retention bug that do change your power to function normally.

Researchers call up that vascular dementia will become more than mutual in the adjacent few decades because:

• Vascular dementia is more often than not caused by atmospheric condition that occur most oft in older people, such equally atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), heart affliction, and stroke.
• The number of people older than 65 years is increasing.
• People are living longer with chronic diseases, such as heart affliction and diabetes.

What causes vascular dementia?

Vascular dementia is caused past a lack of claret flow to a role of the brain. Claret menstruation may exist decreased or interrupted by:

• Blood clots
• Bleeding considering of a ruptured claret vessel (such as from a stroke)
• Damage to a blood vessel from atherosclerosis, infection, high blood pressure, or other causes, such as an autoimmune disorder

CADASIL (cerebral autosomal ascendant arteriopathy with sub-cortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy) is a genetic disorder that generally leads to dementia of the vascular type. I parent with the gene for CADASIL passes it on to a child, which makes it an autosomal-dominant inheritance disorder. Information technology affects the blood vessels in the white matter of the brain. Symptoms, such equally migraine headaches, seizures, and severe depression, generally get-go when a person is in his or her mid-30s; but, symptoms may non appear until later in life.

Who is at adventure for vascular dementia?

Risk factors for vascular dementia include gamble factors for the conditions associated with vascular dementia, such every bit heart affliction, stroke, diabetes, and atherosclerosis:

• Increasing age
• High blood pressure
• Cigarette smoking
• High cholesterol and triglyceride levels
• Diabetes
• Atrial fibrillation (fast and irregular rate of the upper ii center chambers)
• High level of homocysteine in the blood, which tin can cause damage to blood vessels, eye disease, and blood clots
• Lack of physical activity
• Overweight or obesity
• Oral birth control pills
• Atmospheric condition that crusade the blood to "thicken" or jell more hands
• Family unit history of dementia
• Family history of CADASIL

What are the symptoms of vascular dementia?

The symptoms of vascular dementia depend on the location and amount of brain tissue involved. Vascular dementia symptoms may announced all of a sudden after a stroke, or gradually over time. Symptoms may get worse subsequently another stroke, a heart attack, or major surgery. These are signs and symptoms of vascular dementia

• Increased trouble conveying out normal daily activities considering of issues with concentration, communication, or inability to carry out instructions
• Retentiveness problems, although brusque-term memory may not be affected
• Confusion, which may increase at dark (known as "sundown syndrome")
• Stroke symptoms, such as sudden weakness and problem with speech
• Personality changes
• Mood changes, such as depression or irritability
• Stride changes when walking also fast, shuffling steps
• Problems with movement and/or remainder
• Urinary problems, such as urgency or incontinence
• Tremors

How is vascular dementia diagnosed?

In addition to a complete medical history and physical exam, your healthcare provider may order some of the following:

• Computed tomography (CT). This imaging exam uses X-rays and a calculator to make horizontal, or axial images (often chosen slices) of the brain. CT scans are more detailed than general X-rays.
• FDG-PET scan. This is a PET scan of the brain that uses a special tracer to light up regions of the brain.

• Electroencephalogram (EEG). This examination measures electrical activity in the encephalon
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This test uses large magnets, radiofrequencies, and a calculator to brand detailed images of the brain.
• Neuropsychological assessments. These tests can aid sort out vascular dementia from other types of dementia and Alzheimer'due south.
• Neuropsychiatric evaluation. This may be done to rule out a psychiatric condition that may resemble dementia.

How is vascular dementia treated?

Vascular dementia tin can't be cured. The main goal is to treat the underlying weather condition that affect the blood flow to the brain. This tin assistance cutting the risk of further damage to brain tissue.

Such treatments may include:

• Medicines to manage claret pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, diabetes, and bug with blood clotting
• Lifestyle changes, such as following a salubrious nutrition, getting concrete activity, quitting smoking, and quitting or decreasing booze consumption
• Procedures to ameliorate blood flow to the brain, such equally carotid endarterectomy, angioplasty, and stenting; the carotid arteries are located in the cervix and provide blood flow from the heart to the brain
• Medicines, such equally cholinesterase inhibitors to treat the symptoms of dementia or antidepressants to help with depression or other symptoms

Living with vascular dementia

Vascular dementia is a progressive disease that has no cure, but the rate at which the disease progresses can vary. Some people with vascular dementia may somewhen need a high level of care due to the loss of mental and physical abilities. Family members may be able to care for a person with vascular dementia early. But if the disease progresses, the person may need more specialized care.

Respite programs, adult daycare programs, and other resources can help the caregiver become some fourth dimension away from the demands of caring for a loved one with vascular dementia.

Long-term care facilities that specialize in the intendance of people with dementias, Alzheimer'due south, and other related conditions are often available if a person afflicted by vascular dementia can no longer be cared for at home. Your healthcare provider can recommend caregiver resources.

When should I phone call my healthcare provider?

People with vascular dementia and their caregivers should talk with their healthcare providers most when to call them. They will probable advise yous to phone call if symptoms become worse (such equally obvious changes in behavior, personality, memory, or speech) or if new symptoms appear, such every bit sudden weakness or confusion.

Key points about vascular dementia

• Vascular dementia is a disorder characterized by damaged brain tissue due to a lack of claret flow. Causes can include blood clots, ruptured claret vessels, or narrowing or hardening of blood vessels that supply the encephalon.
• Symptoms can include problems with retentiveness and concentration, confusion, changes in personality and behavior, loss of speech and linguistic communication skills, and sometimes physical symptoms such as weakness or tremors.
• Vascular dementia tends to progress over fourth dimension. Treatments can't cure the disease, but lifestyle changes and medicines to care for underlying causes (such as high blood pressure level, high cholesterol, diabetes, or claret clots) might help irksome its progress.
• Surgical procedures to improve blood flow to the brain can also be helpful. Other medicines might slow the progression of dementia or aid with some of the symptoms it tin can cause.
• A person with vascular dementia may eventually need total-time nursing intendance or to stay in a long-term care facility.

Side by side steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:

• Know the reason for your visit and what you desire to happen.
• Earlier your visit, write downwardly questions you desire answered.
• Bring someone with yous to help you enquire questions and call up what your provider tells you.
• At the visit, write downwards the proper name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Too write down any new instructions your provider gives you.
• Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it volition help you. Besides know what the side effects are.
• Enquire if your status tin can be treated in other ways.
• Know why a examination or procedure is recommended and what the results could hateful.
• Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or accept the examination or procedure.
• If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, fourth dimension, and purpose for that visit.
• Know how you tin can contact your provider if you have questions.

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Source: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/dementia/vascular-dementia

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