Physical Activity & Dementia

Dementia isn't a specific disease; rather it is a collection of symptoms that affect social and intellectual functions such as memory, according to the Mayo Clinic's website. The website explains that different types of dementia exist and the symptoms can be severe enough to interfere with daily life. Conditions and changes in the brain cause the symptoms associated with dementia, the most common condition causing dementia being Alzheimer's disease.

Identification

• Dementia symptoms vary depending on the cause and different individuals may express symptoms in different ways, the Mayo Clinic site says. Common symptoms include memory loss, communication problems, trouble learning new information, coordination and motor function difficulty, changes in personality and hallucinations.

Causes

• Many diseases and disorders can lead to dementia. Physical activity is thought to have a stronger impact on certain types of dementia than others. Causes of progressive dementia include Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Huntington's disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and HIV-associated dementia. Some dementias can be reversed because dementia-like symptoms are caused by treatable conditions such as infection, immune disorder, metabolic abnormality, nutritional deficiency, reaction to medication, poisoning, anoxia and heart or lung conditions, according to the Mayo Clinic site.

Prevention

• Physical exercise reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, conditions that can lead to vascular dementia, according to an article by Ronald Peterson, M.D., for Mayo Clinic. It also strengthens bones and reduces stress and may decrease the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Peterson suggests exercising 30 to 60 minutes most days of the week to keep learning and reasoning skills sharp and improve other cognitive functions.

Scientific Research

• Research is inconclusive as to whether physical activity can reverse progressive dementia after onset. An article published in Science Daily explains that scientists were able to slow the progression of dementia in mice with Huntington's disease. Another study, published in the Cochrane Review, found insufficient evidence to support whether or not physical activity programs greatly improve function in dementia patients.

Considerations

• Though the degree to which physical activity affects most types of dementia is unknown, physical activity can improve the quality of life in many dementia patents and reduce the risk of other health complications, according to Alzheimer Scotland Action on Dementia. Exercise can reduce high blood pressure and prevent heart disease and osteoporosis while improving balance and coordination, which can reduce the need for medications and prevent falls. Physical exercise is also shown to improve mood and reduce stress, which may positively influence mood and personality symptoms in dementia patents, according to the website.