Dementia
Dementia is a term for a range of progressive, organic brain diseases. There are four main types of dementia:
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Alzheimer’s disease which accounts for 62% of dementias
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Vascular dementia which is caused by problems with the supply of oxygen to the brain following a stroke or small vessel disease. Vascular dementia along with those that are mixed vascular and Alzheimer’s make up approximately 30% of the total
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Dementia with Lewy Bodies shares some of its features with Parkinson’s disease and accounts for 4% of dementias in England
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Frontal lobe dementia is a rare form of dementia encompassing Picks disease and affects 2% of people with dementia in England. It often affects the under 65’s and has more dramatic effects on behaviour and personality in the early stages rather than on memory.
Preventing dementia
As with all mental health, a balanced and healthy lifestyle is the key to preventing the onset of dementia. Getting the right exercise and activity is vital to ensuring general wellbeing and particularly helps in preventing vascular dementia.
The right diet is also strong factor in good mental health - lowering your alcohol consumption and ensuring your diet has a consistent supply of omega-3 are the two major areas of your diet to focus on.
Finally, keeping your brain healthy with mental activity is the best way to keep 'grey matter' in the best condition. Enjoy puzzles, games or similar passtimes to keep your brain active.
Diagnosed with dementia
