Li Shanfeng
Dementia is one of the more common nervous system diseases in the First Department of Neurorehabilitation of Henan Retired Cadres Rehabilitation Hospital. The incidence rate of dementia is relatively high among the elderly, which usually causes cognitive impairment, memory impairment and other symptoms, affecting normal life. Many people may think of "Alzheimer's disease" when they see "dementia", but in fact, this is just one type of dementia. What are the other types of dementia? How to prevent dementia in daily life? Next, let's take a look together.
1、 What are the types of dementia?
Dementia is a chronic, acquired intelligence disorder syndrome caused by various reasons, which can be divided into allergic and non allergic types according to the etiology:
1. Allergic dementia
(1) Alzheimer's disease (AD)
Alzheimer's disease is a more common type of dementia in the elderly, usually with a hidden onset and relatively slow development, but it is a sustained and irreversible decline in intelligence. The early symptoms are generally mild, mainly characterized by memory impairment. Patients show abnormal near memory and become forgetful, but can still engage in normal social activities; As the condition progresses, the patient's cognitive impairment gradually worsens, making it difficult for them to accept new things. In severe cases, they may also experience orientation disorders, confusion in memory of time and place, as well as symptoms such as poor language fluency, decreased comprehension ability, unstable emotions, and irritability; As the condition progresses to the late stage, the patient's judgment and cognitive abilities are almost completely lost, leading to hallucinations and delusions, and even paralysis.
(2) Lewy body dementia (DLB)
In the early stages, there may be fluctuating cognitive impairment, involuntary tremors in the head and hands, delayed movement, increased muscle tone, usually walking in small steps, and repeated hallucinations.
(3) Frontal and temporal dementia (FTD) is mainly caused by lesions in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, leading to a series of abnormal behaviors in patients, such as personality changes, irritability, indifference, etc; Behavior becomes compulsive, rigid, and repetitive; Abnormal judgment often leads to theft and other behaviors, without considering them wrong.
(4) Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD) is a type of dementia caused by Parkinson's disease, mostly resulting in cognitive impairment after one or several years. PDD patients may experience symptoms such as bradykinesia, gait instability, hallucinations, decreased attention, decreased spatial discrimination ability, and memory retrieval disorders.
2. Non allergic dementia
(1) Vascular dementia (VD)
is caused by damage to blood vessels in the brain, resulting in impaired brain related functions and leading to dementia, such as cerebral hemorrhage, stroke, etc. Patients may experience symptoms such as depression, emotional instability, and emotional loss of control.
(2) Dementia induced by other factors
In addition, the influence of internal or external environment may also lead to the occurrence of dementia, such as brain tumors, brain trauma, hydrocephalus, brain infections, poisoning, etc., which can also cause related symptoms in patients.
2、 How to prevent dementia?
1. Use your brain frequently and think more
It is important to develop the habit of using your brain frequently and thinking more, which can delay brain degeneration. Middle aged and elderly people can read more books, newspapers, play chess, and play some puzzle games to promote brain thinking.
2. Adjust diet
Adjust diet, maintain a light diet, eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, with high content of vitamins, trace elements and other substances, which are beneficial for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health, thereby reducing the risk of dementia and slowing down the disease process. In addition, quitting smoking and drinking is also beneficial for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health.
3. Persist in exercise
Appropriate exercise can improve blood circulation, stimulate brain cells, delay the aging and degeneration of nerves, and prevent the occurrence of senile dementia; Especially, it is important to engage in more hand exercises, which can make the brain more flexible and reduce the occurrence of diseases. Daily activities include walking, jogging, Tai Chi, playing table tennis, and wrist spinning.
4. Maintain a regular sleep routine
Developing good sleep habits can improve sleep quality, relieve stress, and provide sufficient rest for the brain, thereby protecting brain health.
Dementia not only affects the health and normal life of patients, but also brings troubles to their families. Therefore, in old age, it is important to prevent dementia, and everyone must pay more attention to it.