Vascular dementia is extremely common. In fact, it's the second most common form of dementia - behind Alzheimer's disease. It's caused by a reduction in blood flowing to the brain. This results in a variety of symptoms, including memory loss and confusion - which we'll explore in more detail, along with the signs and symptoms, causes and types of support available to those affected by the illness.
It affects people of all ages, though it's rare in people under the age of 65 and currently there's no cure. The NHS has estimated that vascular dementia impacts around 150,000 people in the UK.
It’s important to note that dementia is not a normal part of ageing, which is a common misconception around the subject of dementia. If you, or someone you know are experiencing memory difficulties or showing any of the symptoms mentioned in this article, it’s important you seek advice and guidance from a GP to discuss what the cause may be.
Content
What are the early signs of Vascular Dementia?
What is the difference between Vascular Dementia and Alzheimer's?
What causes Vascular Dementia?
What Are the Early Signs of Vascular Dementia?
Dementia affects different people in different ways, so symptoms will vary. It's important to note that not everyone will experience the same symptoms of vascular dementia - it's dependent on the part of the brain that has been impacted.
However, these are some of the most common early signs:
- slower thought processing speed
- problems concentrating, such as during a conversation
- difficulty planning, organising, problem-solving or making decisions
- poor short-term memory and difficulties
- changes to mood and personality
In the early stages, these symptoms may be mild to the point of being difficult to notice, sometimes being mistaken for another health issue, like depression. With all forms of dementia being progressive, vascular dementia symptoms worsen over time. In the later stages, a person might experience:
- increasing levels of confusion and disorientation
- long term memory loss
- depression and changes in personality
- difficulty with balance
- communication issues, such as difficulty remembering words
What Is the Difference Between Vascular Dementia and Alzheimer's?
Although both of these forms of dementia have many similar symptoms, they're different.re are some key differences in the causes.
Vascular dementia is caused by reduced blood flow to the brain due to blood vessels having burst or become blocked.
Alzheimer's is caused by a build-up of proteins that form plaques and tangles. The formation of these structures can damage the connections between nerve cells and the brain, which causes these cells to die.
What Causes Vascular Dementia?
Vascular dementia is caused by a reduction in the flow of blood to the brain. It damages and eventually causes brain cells to die. It can occur as a result of:
- small blood vessels in the brain narrowing or becoming blocked
- a single stroke, where blood flow to part of the brain is cut off
- mini strokes that cause tiny but widespread damage to the brain
These problems can often be linked to underlying conditions, including diabetes or high blood pressure, as well as factors related to lifestyle, like being overweight or smoking.
What Support is Available?
If you think you or your loved one might be experiencing the early signs of any form of dementia, you should contact your GP. Doing this will enable you or your loved one's GP to carry out a series of checks to identify the cause of your symptoms. They'll also be able to refer you to a specialist for further tests if they're needed.
If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with vascular dementia, treatments are available to help manage symptoms. Some people may find their symptoms worsen over time to the point they need support within a care home environment.
Here, at Sanctuary, we have dementia care homes across the country, with dedicated, professional staff who provide round-the-clock care for those impacted by different forms of dementia. Visit our dementia care page to learn more about our services, find your nearest dementia care home to discover how we can help or call our dedicated Enquiry Support Team today on 0800 046 4829.
