Dementia is
an umbrella term for a syndrome marked by deterioration in memory, other
cognitive abilities and the ability to perform everyday activities. Although
dementia mainly affects older people, it is not a normal part of aging. It is
one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people
worldwide (WHO). There are several types of dementia. The most common is
Alzheimer’s disease. Vascular dementia is another type of dementia.
While Alzheimer’s disease and vascular
dementia are both types of dementia, their causes, symptoms and prognosis
differ.
·
Vascular dementia is caused by an acute event such as stroke or transient ischemic
attack (TIA), while the cause of Alzheimer’s disease still remains unknown.
·
Diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, high cholesterol levels are
risk factors for vascular dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible,
degenerative disease of the brain. Age is the best known risk factor for
Alzheimer’s disease. Genetics may also have a role.
·
In vascular dementia, cognitive impairment occurs more suddenly and then
remains stable for some time (step-like decline) and is related to an acute
event like stroke or TIA. Whereas, in Alzheimer’s disease, memory problems are
characteristically one of the first warning signs of cognitive loss and memory
gradually declines over time.
·
Physical disability occurs at the same time as cognitive impairment in vascular
dementia. In Alzheimer’s, cognitive impairment occurs first followed by
physical disability.
·
A CT scan or MRI can detect an area of brain affected by stroke or TIA
(infarcts). Alzheimer’s disease, on the other hand, is a diagnosis of
exclusion. All other causes of dementia such as B12 deficiency (reversible)
need to be ruled out before diagnosing a person with Alzheimer’s disease.
·
Prognosis of vascular dementia depends on the extent of damage in brain.
Alzheimer’s disease progresses over the years. Survival after a diagnosis of
Alzheimer’s disease is usually 8.4 years.
Dr KK Aggarwal
Padma Shri Awardee
Vice President CMAAO
Group Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications
President Heart Care Foundation of India
Immediate Past National President IMA
No comments:
Post a Comment