What is vascular dementia?
Vascular dementia is one of the common types of dementia which affect people aged 65 and over.
It reduces blood flow to the brain which causes issues with mental abilities as the brain cells get damaged. There is currently no way to reverse the effects of the damage.
Having a healthy diet or taking medication earlier on can help prevent it from worsening.
What causes vascular dementia?
When blood flow is reduced to the brain, the brain cells get damaged and eventually die.
This could be because of:
- A blocked blood vessel in the brain.
- A stroke
- Mini strokes known as transient ischaemic attacks (TIA)
It also could be because of underlying health conditions such as:
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
What are the symptoms of vascular dementia?
The symptoms of vascular dementia can develop over time and can make life difficult for the individual affected.
These can include:
- Slow thought processes
- Difficulty decision making
- Poor concentration
- Feeling confused
- Difficulty remembering and speaking
