Several cognitive illnesses fall under the term dementia, a disease that refers to a decline in mental function severe enough to interfere with everyday life. Although Alzheimer’s disease is the most common in this category, there are several other well-known diseases, such as vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. If you are concerned about a loved one, you may be wondering, “What speeds up dementia decline?”
These diseases lead to a gradual worsening of thinking, behavior, and memory, and affects millions of people worldwide. There are several factors that accelerate dementia and understanding these factors is important for improving quality of life, developing interventions, and providing support. These factors include environmental influences, genetics, other diseases, and lifestyle choices.
Genetics and Family History
Family history and certain genes can speed up dementia in patients. Although it is not something that is hereditary, if you have certain genes, you are more likely to develop dementia than somebody who does not carry these genes. If you have a family member that has dementia, or you have a family history of dementia, it is a good idea to get tested for certain genes so you can take precautionary measures for the disease.
Poor Physical Health and Other Diseases
Having poor physical health or certain other diseases is a major accelerator in speeding up dementia in patients. Obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and chronic inflammation are the major comorbid conditions that affect the speed of dementia development. Controlling these other diseases and taking care of your physical health may help slow the disease from progressing.
Social and Physiological Factors
There are several physiological and social factors that have been linked to speeding up the symptoms of dementia. These include depression, chronic stress, social isolation, and loneliness. Getting control of these physiological factors may help the symptoms that are associated with dementia because they impair the brain function that is necessary for slowing down dementia.
Sleep Disturbances
Individuals who have been diagnosed with dementia are regularly found to have sleep disturbances. Sleep apnea, sleep deprivation, and fragmented sleep have all been linked to the acceleration of dementia in people. Dementia patients often have disrupted circadian rhythm patterns, which can lead to agitation, confusion, and further decline. Having consistent poor sleep can make it harder for the brain to repair itself, speeding up the acceleration decline.
Substance Abuse
Alcohol consumption and drug use both play a significant role in dementia decline in patients. The overuse of either of these substances can lead to long-lasting damage to the brain. Heavy drinking increases the risk of Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia as it can lead to nutritional deficiencies, brain lesions, and brain shrinkage. Drugs can lead to neurotoxicity, cognitive impairments, and memory loss.
The use of alcohol and drugs may also exacerbate symptoms and lead to quicker cognitive decline.
Lack of Mental Stimulation
The brain is a muscle and needs regular exercise to stay healthy. Reading, learning new skills, social interaction, and engaging in hobbies provide mental stimulation through the form of new neural connections. This can lead to the slowing of dementia. Without stimulation, the brain becomes unable to adapt to damage, and this leads to a faster progression of dementia.
Medications
Medications that are prescribed for allergies, anxiety, depression, and insomnia can have side effects that accelerate dementia progression. Some of these medications, and others, can also have sedative effects that slow memory formation and cognitive processing, contributing to faster cognitive decline.
Environmental Influences and Lifestyle Choices
Smoking, low physical activity, and a poor diet are all lifestyle and environmental influences that have been linked to rapid dementia decline. Physical activity promotes cardiovascular health, which in turn improves brain function. Those who lead a sedentary lifestyle may experience faster cognitive decline.
A diet that is high in processed foods, unhealthy fats, and sugars can lead to dementia decline because an unhealthy diet often leads to one of the many diseases that are linked to dementia. Another major contributor is smoking, which is often associated with other diseases as well because it reduces blood flow to the brain, leading to a greater chance of a faster decline in dementia.
FAQs
Q: Can Dementia Be Slowed Down?
A: There are a few things one can do to slow down dementia. These include changing one’s lifestyle to healthier choices, increasing mental activity, creating social interactions, taking the right medications, and undergoing treatments for vascular dementia. While there is no cure for dementia at this time, leading a better lifestyle may help slow down the rate at which it progresses.
Q: What Is Looping in Dementia?
A: Looping in dementia refers to when a person with the disease tells the same story or phrase or repeats the same question over and over again. People with dementia often loop in because it gives them a sense of familiarity, comfort, and security. Looping may occur as often as every few minutes.
Q: What Are Signs That the Dementia Is Getting Worse?
A: There are many signs that may be considered indicators that dementia is getting worse in a patient. These include slowing communication, difficulty in completing daily tasks, difficulty in memory and making decisions, trouble completing daily tasks, increased anxiety, behavioral changes, and physical changes. It’s important to keep track of these behaviors in your loved ones so you can let their physician know if you believe the dementia has increased.
Q: What Do Late-Stage Dementia Patients Think About?
A: During the late stages of dementia, patients primarily focus on basic needs and immediate sensations. At this point, they are often experiencing significant memory loss, and their thoughts may revolve around simple routines, familiar and comforting past memories, hallucinations, and the presence of caregivers. This is often a very difficult time for the patients and caregivers alike, as their behavior often worsens and their mood drastically declines as well.
Connect With Rocky Mountain Assisted Living
If your loved one is experiencing dementia, it may be time to contact a facility that can care for them during this time. Rocky Mountain Assisted Living provides excellent facilities to patients who are suffering from cognitive diseases. Contact the Highlands Ranch memory care to schedule a tour today.