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   Vascular dementia: Spotting signs of the common condition   
      
   It's not rare, yet many of us are confused about the second most common type   
   of the condition. An expert explains the key symptoms and risks to Susan   
   Griffin   
      
   Common condition: vascular dementia affects 150,000 in the UK1   
   Common condition: vascular dementia affects 150,000 in the UK   
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   Affecting around 150,000 people in the UK, vascular dementia is the second   
   most common type of dementia, after Alzheimer's disease.   
      
   Yet, very few people know exactly what it is or how it differs from other   
   forms of dementia, and this lack of awareness can perpetuate a sense of fear,   
   especially for an ageing population.   
      
   Here's a look at some of the key facts.   
      
   WHAT IS VASCULAR DEMENTIA?   
      
   The word dementia describes a set of symptoms that can include memory loss and   
   difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language. In vascular dementia,   
   these symptoms occur "when there is a reduced blood supply to the brain, due   
   to diseased blood    
   vessels", explains Kathryn Smith, director of operations at Alzheimer's   
   Society.   
      
      
   To be healthy and function properly, brain cells need a constant supply of   
   blood, which is delivered through a network of vessels called the vascular   
   system. If the blood vessels leak or become blocked, then blood can't reach   
   the brain cells and they'll    
   eventually die. It's the death of brain cells which causes problems with   
   memory, thinking or reasoning (collectively known as cognition). When these   
   cognitive problems are bad enough to have a significant impact on daily life,   
   it's known as vascular    
   dementia.   
      
   SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS   
      
   "The most common symptoms in the early stages of vascular dementia are   
   problems with planning or organising, making decisions or solving problems,   
   slower speed of thought and problems concentrating, including short periods of   
   sudden confusion," Smith    
   explains.   
      
   As well as these cognitive symptoms, it is common for someone with early   
   vascular dementia to experience mood changes, such as apathy, depression or   
   anxiety. But symptoms will be dependent on the underlying causes. For   
   instance, symptoms may develop    
   suddenly after a stroke, or more gradually, such as with small vessel disease.   
   Anyone who is concerned that they may have vascular dementia (or any other   
   type of dementia) should seek help from their GP.   
      
      
   REDUCE THE RISK   
      
   Cardiovascular disease, and therefore vascular dementia, is linked to high   
   blood pressure, high cholesterol and being overweight in mid-life, so someone   
   can reduce their risk by having regular check-ups, not smoking and keeping   
   physically active. It also    
   helps to eat a healthy balanced diet and drink alcohol in moderation. Aside   
   from these cardiovascular risk factors, there is evidence that keeping   
   mentally and socially active throughout life, reduces dementia risk too.   
      
   DETERIORATION   
      
   Over time, a person with vascular dementia is likely to develop more severe   
   confusion or disorientation, and further problems with reasoning and   
   communication. Memory loss, for example, for recent events or names, will also   
   become worse. Over time, the    
   person is likely to need more support with day-to-day activities, such as   
   cooking or cleaning, as they become increasingly frail. The speed and pattern   
   of this decline varies.   
      
      
   WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT?   
      
   "There is currently no cure for vascular dementia," says Smith. "The brain   
   damage that causes it cannot be reversed. However, there is a lot that can be   
   done to enable someone to live well with the condition. This will involve drug   
   and non-drug treatment,   
    support and activities."   
      
   Access to appropriate support - for both the person diagnosed with dementia   
   and their carers - plays a vital role, and after being diagnosed, people   
   should have a chance to talk to a health or social care professional. This   
   could be a psychiatrist or    
   mental health nurse, a clinical psychologist, occupational therapist or GP.   
      
   WHO'S AFFECTED?   
      
      
   It's believed that a number of factors can put someone at increased risk of   
   developing vascular dementia, including:   
      
   Age: The risk of developing the condition doubles approximately every five   
   years over the age of 65.   
      
   History of cardiovascular disease: A person who's had a stroke or has diabetes   
   or heart disease, is approximately twice as likely to develop vascular   
   dementia.   
      
   Sleep apnoea: A condition, often associated with being overweight, where   
   breathing stops for a few seconds or minutes during sleep is thought to be a   
   possible risk factor.   
      
   Depression: According to the Alzheimer's Society, there is some evidence that   
   a history of depression may also increase the risk of vascular dementia.   
      
   Genetic factors: Someone with a family history of stroke, heart disease or   
   diabetes has an increased risk of developing these conditions, although the   
   role of genes in the common types of vascular dementia is small.   
      
   Ethnicity: Those from an Indian, Bangladeshi, Pakistani or Sri Lankan   
   backgrounds living in the UK have significantly higher rates of stroke,   
   diabetes and heart disease than white Europeans. Among people of   
   African-Caribbean descent, the risk of diabetes    
   and stroke - but not heart disease - is also higher.   
      
   For more information, visit www.alzheimers.org.uk   
      
      
   http://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/vascular-dementia-   
   potting-signs-of-the-common-condition-31574980.html   
      
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