Dementia. One of the most notorious and well-known mental conditions in the eye of the public. However, like so many other illnesses and conditions, it is subject to a lot of social and societal stigma. In other words, stereotypes and misinformation are very common in addressing issues such as dementia. So. What is dementia? Well, I can tell you now that dementia is not, despite what others like to think, an illness. Instead, it is a disorder, a condition of the mind. Dementia is not a certain affliction like COVID-19 or cancer. Rather, it is used to describe a loss of cognitive function, which can include symptoms such as loss of memory. This means that dementia is an
umbrella terminology that can be used to describe other illnesses and conditions. Today, I will be going over three of the most common forms of dementia found in Canadians, and what each one of them entails for the patient.
1) In Canada, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. When examining sources over the internet such as Alzheimer Calgary, it can be seen that Alzheimer’s disease is responsible for 50-75% (keep in mind that this number may vary depending on location or time) cases of dementia. Although the cause is still generally debated, a majority of researchers believe that Alzheimer’s is most likely caused by an atypical accumulation of proteins both in and around brain cells. This affects the number of neurotransmitters (chemical messengers found within the brain), causing them to decrease in number, which lower stimulation in some parts of the brain. Over time, this
causes different areas of the brain to shrink. The first symptoms of Alzheimer’s may manifest themselves as difficulty seeing or communicating with others, as opposed to memory loss (more commonly believed to be the symptom associated with Alzheimer’s). It should be noted that Alzheimer’s is a degenerative disorder, meaning that conditions and symptoms in patients deteriorate over time.
2) The next most common variation of dementia is vascular dementia. Although it makes up 20-30% of cases of dementia, it is far more obscure to the general population compared to Alzheimer’s. This is an unfortunate occurrence, as the lack of education and dissemination of information regarding these topics are common, even in Canada. So, what is vascular dementia? Well, the definition can be derived from its name. The vascular system in our body is the system in charge of supplying our body with oxygen and nutrients and is essential for all of our organs to function. If vessels found inside the vascular system are damaged or blocked, it can result in a lack of oxygen supply to the brain. Similarly to Alzheimer’s, this can cause certain parts of the brain to deteriorate over time, with a loss in cognitive abilities as well as physical capabilities. This can include but is not limited to difficulty with making decisions, habits such as planning, etc., symptoms of stroke, and problems with locomotion and movement.
3) The third most frequent type of dementia is Lewy Body Dementia (LBD). This, according to Alzheimer Calgary is responsible for 10-25% of cases of dementia. Lewy Body Dementia, much like Alzheimer’s, is characterized by an accumulation of proteins. However, it refers to a specific type of protein that is known as alpha-synuclein, which forms deposits on the nerve cells found within the brain. These tiny deposits are known as Lewy Bodies and are responsible for causing LBD. Symptoms of LBD may include but are not limited to visual hallucinations, issues with movement, cognitive problems, abnormal sleep (which branch out to many other potential symptoms and disorders), depression, lack of attention, and many more.
Now that you have been introduced to three of the many types of dementia, perhaps you will have more knowledge of it than just knowing it as ‘the thing that old people get’. Dementia can increase exponentially as age increases, yes, but it can also be found within the younger population. So, it is crucial to promote understanding and communication in society as a whole. Ultimately, although the symptoms of dementia are scary and often feel like a death sentence, with empathy and approaches in various treatments (such as person-centered care), both the patient and their family will still be able to socialize and enjoy their lives to the fullest extent.
