Health & Dementia

Dementia is a collective term for a group of symptoms caused by brain disorders. It is also known as senility. People with dementia have serious problems with two or more brain functions, such as memory and language. Certain medical conditions can cause symptoms of dementia and may be treatable. Other forms of dementia are progressive and have no known cure.

Identification

• Dementia is characterized by a progressive mental deterioration to a degree that it interferes with a person's ability to function in society. Memory loss is common in dementia, but can occur for many other reasons as well.

Symptoms

• People with dementia may not be able to think well enough to do daily activities. They may lose their ability to dress themselves, eat, solve problems and control their emotions. Their personalities often change drastically over the course of the disease. They may become agitated more easily than normal or experience hallucinations.

Risk Factors

• Some research suggests that dementia may be caused by hardening of the arteries, a condition known as arteriosclerosis, that increasingly cuts off the supply of blood to the brain. The death of brain tissue from a series of minor strokes, immune system malfunction, long-term high blood pressure and pressure exerted by the accumulation of fluoride or a tumor in the brain are also suspected possible causes of dementia. In addition, prescription drugs and poor nutrition are believed to play a role in some cases of dementia.

Nutritional Factors

• Studies have found patterns of nutritional deficiencies in some cases of dementia. B-vitamins (especially vitamins B6 and B12), which are essential for proper cognitive functioning, are typically not present in processed foods (which constitute a large portion of the modern diet.) Also linked to dementia are deficiencies of the minerals zinc, boron, potassium and selenium, as well as acetylcholine and the antioxidant vitamins A and E, according to Dr. James Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing."

Prevention/Solution

• The risk of developing dementia may be lessened by avoiding exposure to toxic metals, such as lead and aluminum. Drinking tap water should be avoided, as well as smoking, which doubles the risk, according to a study published in the British medical journal "The Lancet." Increasing the consumption of antioxidants may slow or reverse the development of the disease by reducing free radical accumulation. Research suggests that the hormone, DHEA, may help prevent the Alzheimer's form of dementia.