We know that cellular aging can cause mental abilities and motor skills to decline. However, dementia can occur from multiple causes; that include lifestyle habits; limiting the independence and autonomy of the individual. This is how this pathology is more prevalent in the elderly, affecting men and women indistinctly.
In fact, jointly or independently, memory, communication and spatial location are diminished. In the same way, that the ability to solve problems of everyday life and perform complex tasks. What it does, that the retention of some experiences, thinking and social skills, are drastically affected, giving way to dependence on others.
Dementia is increasing rapidly in the world
Especially, because, despite the life expectancy; thanks to science; offers the opportunity to increase longevity. Comorbidities can affect the brain. Above all, due to the lack of healthy lifestyle habits and little awareness of self-care.
This is how there are several types of dementia; Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multi-infarct or vascular: which can also affect people under the age of 60. Mainly, because there is damage to nerve cells or brain connections. Hence, for example, heart failure, comes to have a direct impact on the mental capacities of a young individual.1
- In an obvious way, age becomes the first risk factor for developing dementia, especially Alzheimer’s. Above all, because cells deteriorate, generating an inability to store new information and learn. This does not mean that all seniors face this disease.
- Likewise, heredity is considered among the possible causes of dementia. Since DNA can determine the color of the eyes or hair, but also the malformations and neurodegenerative diseases that will occur in the long term. Hence, a family history of mental flaws is a cause for concern.
- In the same way, brain trauma can be linked to temporary or progressive dementia. Since bruises, hydrocephalus and tumors, sometimes considerably damage the structure of the brain. Generating, mental disability, memory loss and emotional instability. 2
Other organs also play a role
In reality, alterations in the proper functioning of other organs; like the heart, lungs or kidneys; they can trigger some type of dementia. Hence, vascular problems caused by atherosclerosis or hypertension eventually develop cerebral embolisms, as a consequence of repetitive heart attacks.3
In this way, we can observe that not only aging is the cause of dementia. Since, brain injuries, other diseases, alcohol abuse, low levels of some vitamins and the use of some medications, can also contribute to memory loss and other symptoms related to low mental capacity.
References:
- Amarista Félix José. Dementia. Gac Méd Caracas [Internet]. 2002 Jul [citado 2021 Jun 24]; 110 (3: 310-317.Available at:
http://ve.scielo.org/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0367-47622002000300003&lng=es
- E. Aguirre Milachay, C. Alva Díaz. Is it possible to reduce the prevalence of dementia? We need new approaches to deal with dementia. Rev. Med. Famil. Semerge [internet] 2018[ consultado 24 jun 2021]; 44 (8): 586-589. Available in: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1138359318303125.
3.Llibre Rodríguez Juan de Jesús. Dementias: myths and realities for the internist. Rev. cubana med [Internet]. 2013 Jun [citado 2021 Jun 24]; 52 (2): 85-87. Available in:
http://scielo.sld.cu/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0034-75232013000200001&lng=es.