In the world today live 47.5 million people with dementia. Dementia causes very serious issues with a person’s memory, their ability to think in a normal way and as a result their behavior. Dementia is caused by damage to the neurons in a person’s brain. These damaged neurons can no longer function at a normal level and may die which is what can lead to the changes in a person’s behavior and cognitive capabilities.
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Some of the statistics that surround the illness are truly alarming with one case reportedly diagnosed every four seconds somewhere in the world. The prevalence rate is on the increase and is predicted to more than triple by the year 2050. Alzheimer’s Disease is by far the most common underlying condition that relates to dementia with between 60% to 80% of all dementia cases attributed to it. It is important to distinguish that dementia is an umbrella term for diseases and conditions that are characterized by a decline in a person’s memory and other cognitive skills and there are many different types of dementia. While Alzheimer’s Disease has been at the forefront of bio-medical research for years, 90% of what we now know about it has been discovered in the past fifteen years.
Vascular Dementia is the second most common type of dementia and stroke survivors and people with advanced heart disease are the most at risk of contracting it. It is caused by a lack of blood flow to the brain. Dementia with Lewy Bodies is the third most common type of dementia. It accounts for 10% to 25% of all dementia cases. It is caused by protein deposits in nerve cells that interrupt chemical messages in the brain.
Have a look at this infographic created by Be Independent Home Care for more insights into the many different forms of dementia.
