What Causes Dementia?
Dementia is a progressive neurological disorder that affects an individual's cognitive abilities, such as memory, language, judgement, and problem-solving. Though dementia can be caused by a variety of factors, the most common cause is Alzheimer's disease. Other causes include vascular dementia, due to stroke, and Lewy body dementia, due to an accumulation of abnormal proteins in the brain.
What Makes Dementia Worse?
The progression of dementia depends on a variety of factors, including the type and severity of the disease, the individual's overall health, and lifestyle choices. Some factors can make dementia worse, such as:
Age: As individuals age, their risk for dementia increases.
Smoking: Smoking increases the risk of developing dementia.
Lack of Exercise: Individuals who do not exercise regularly are more likely to develop dementia.
Poor Diet: Eating a poor diet can increase the risk of developing dementia as well as make the symptoms of dementia worse.
Lack of Stimulation: Stimulating activities, such as reading, playing music, and socializing, can help slow the progression of dementia.
Untreated Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and depression, can increase the risk of developing dementia. It is important to treat these conditions to reduce the risk and slow the progression.
Conclusion
Dementia is a progressive neurological disorder that affects an individual's cognitive abilities. The progression of dementia depends on a variety of factors, such as age, smoking, lack of exercise, poor diet, lack of stimulation, and untreated medical conditions. It is important to recognize these factors and take steps to reduce the risk of developing dementia and to slow its progression.