Vascular dementia is one of the most common forms of dementia in Singapore, yet many of us have never heard of it. Let’s change that. Keep reading to learn more about what causes vascular dementia and how you can reduce your risk.
Did you know that almost half (45.5%) of dementia cases in Singapore are vascular dementia? You may also be surprised to learn that you can take steps now to lower your risk of vascular dementia.
So, keep reading and let’s demystify this disease together.
What are the early signs of dementia?
Dementia is a term that describes a variety of symptoms affecting a person’s cognitive functioning. It tends to get worse over time, so there are a few key early warning signs
Dementia occurs when nerve cells in a person’s brain stop working. It can affect their ability to think, remember, and reason.
Although it typically happens in older people, it is not an inevitable part of aging. The brain naturally deteriorates as people grow older, but this deterioration occurs more quickly in people with dementia.
There are 10 typical early signs of dementia:
- Memory loss - Memory loss is a common dementia symptom.
- Difficulty planning or solving problems - A person with dementia may find it difficult to follow a plan.
- Difficulty doing familiar tasks - A person with dementia may find it hard to complete tasks they regularly do.
- Confusion about time or place - Dementia can make it hard to judge the passing of time.
- Challenges in understanding visual information - Visual information can be difficult for a person with dementia.
- Problems with speaking or writing - A person with dementia may find it hard to engage in conversations.
- Tendency to misplace things - An individual with dementia may not be able to remember where they leave everyday objects, such as a TV remote control, phone, wallet, and keys.
- Poor judgment or decision-making - It can be hard for someone with dementia to understand what is fair and reasonable.
- Withdrawal from social activities - A person with dementia may become disinterested in socializing with other people in home life and at work.
- Changes in personality or mood - An individual with dementia may experience mood swings or personality changes.
What to know about senility and dementia
A person may use “senility” to describe a decrease in the ability to think, concentrate, or remember
Senility and “being senile” are old-fashioned terms, and some people use them to refer to dementia.
A contemporary term that doctors use is “neurocognitive disorder” which might be either minor or major. For example, they may diagnose minor neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimer’s disease — a type of dementia.
Below, learn more about what senility and dementia mean, as well as dementia’s symptoms, causes, treatment, and prevention.
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