Choi Myung-je, specialist in psychiatry and director of Konkuk University Haneul Department of Psychiatry
Psychiatric Newspaper | Choi Myung-je, a specialist in mental health medicine
Dispelling Misconceptions about Dementia
Dementia is often seen as a scary disease, leading many middle-aged individuals to fear the prospect of developing it in the future. However, there is a lack of accurate information surrounding this condition. Today, we will debunk common myths and provide clarity about dementia.
Is Alzheimer’s the Same as Dementia?
Many people mistakenly believe that Alzheimer’s and dementia are interchangeable terms. In reality, Alzheimer’s is just one type of dementia, accounting for approximately 70% of cases. The second most common form is vascular dementia, making up around 20% of cases.
Is Memory Loss the Only Symptom of Dementia?
Contrary to popular belief, dementia is not solely characterized by memory loss. While memory impairment is a significant symptom, it has been removed from the diagnostic criteria for dementia. The medical community recognizes the presence of cognitive impairments in various domains, including learning, language, executive functions, attention, perceptual motor skills, and social cognition.
Does Cognitive Decline Always Indicate Dementia?
No, a gradual decline in cognitive abilities does not necessarily indicate dementia. Memory-related issues can stem from various causes, such as delirium, normal aging changes, or mild cognitive impairment. For instance, research shows that only 29% of individuals diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment progress to dementia within a five-year period.
Do All Types of Dementia Worsen Over Time?
Not all types of dementia inevitably worsen over time. Some forms, like those caused by vitamin B12 deficiency or underactive thyroid syndrome, can be reversed with proper treatment. It is crucial to identify the specific cause and manage it accordingly.
Can Lifestyle Changes Reduce the Risk of Dementia?
A resounding yes! Adopting a healthy lifestyle can significantly lower the risk of dementia in the long run. Being consistently mindful, engaging in regular exercise, consuming nutritious food, maintaining normal blood pressure, participating in social activities, quitting smoking, and seeking treatment for depression are all effective strategies for reducing the risk of dementia.
Research indicates that older individuals who have experienced depression are two to three times more likely to develop dementia compared to those without a history of depression. Additionally, high levels of stress, as seen in Korean culture’s unique condition known as Hwa-byeong, also contribute to the risk of dementia. Stress increases the production of beta-amyloid, a substance associated with dementia, and damages the hippocampus, a region crucial for memory function.
By making lifestyle changes and managing stress effectively, we can strive to prevent the onset of dementia. Let us all work towards a healthier future!
Konkuk Haneul University Mental Health Department Clinic
Director: Myungje Choi
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Source: Korean Dementia Association. “Does Depression or Happiness or Stress Increase Your Risk of Dementia?”
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Choi Myung-je, specialist in psychiatry, and director of Konkuk University Haneul Department of Psychiatry
Psychiatric Newspaper | Choi Myung-je, a specialist in mental health medicine
Photo_ freepik
Dementia is considered a scary disease to the extent that many middle-aged people say that the part they fear the most is getting dementia later. However, there seems to be a lack of accurate information regarding the disease, so today I’d like to take some time to dispel common misconceptions surrounding dementia.
▷ Alzheimer’s is another name for dementia?
The correct answer is ‘NO’. Alzheimer’s and dementia are often thought of as the same disease, but in fact, Alzheimer’s is a part of dementia, accounting for around 70%. Vascular dementia is the second most common disease after Alzheimer’s, accounting for around 20%.
▷ A symptom of dementia is simply memory loss?
The correct answer is ‘NO’. Although memory loss accounts for a high proportion of dementia symptoms, ‘memory loss’ has recently been removed from the diagnostic criteria for dementia in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, and the medical community also needs to identify and there is damage in various cognitive. domains when suffering from dementia. In other words, dementia can show impairment in learning/language/executive functions/complex attention/perceptual motor functions and social cognition.
Photo_ freepik
▷ Is gradual decline in cognitive ability a precursor to dementia?
The correct answer is ‘NO’. When most people feel they have a problem with their memory, they are afraid to think it could be dementia, but memory-related problems can be caused by a variety of causes, such as delirium, changes which occurs with age, and mild cognitive impairment. . According to a study conducted in the United States, only 29% of patients diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment were diagnosed with dementia after 5 years.
▷ All types of dementia get worse over time?
The correct answer is ‘NO’. Mild dementia caused by several causes, such as chicken pox syndrome due to vitamin B12 deficiency and underactive thyroid syndrome, can be reversed with appropriate treatment.
▷ Can lifestyle changes help reduce the risk of dementia?
The correct answer is ‘YES’. Being ‘aware’ at all times as you go about your daily life is a lifestyle habit that can help reduce your risk of dementia in the long term. In addition, regular exercise, eating nutritious food daily, maintaining normal blood pressure, social activities, smoking cessation, and depression treatment can also help reduce the risk of dementia.
According to one study, older people who have experienced depression are two to three times more likely to develop dementia than those who have not experienced depression. Hwa-byeong, one of the unique types of diseases seen in Korean culture, is also caused by suppressing resentment and anger for a long time, and research results have been published that increase the risk of dementia in many cases due to high levels of stress. When you experience stress, the level of corticotropin-releasing hormone in the brain increases, which in turn stimulates the production of a substance called ‘beta-amyloid’, a factor that causes dementia, and causing damage to the hippocampus, an area in the brain associated with memory, it is called.
So let’s all try to change our lifestyle and live with less stress so that we don’t all experience the disease called dementia!
Konkuk Haneul University Mental Health Department Clinic | Director Myungje Choi
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addresses
Korean Dementia Association. Does Depression or Happiness or Stress Increase Your Risk of Dementia?
#치매 #Misconceptions #dementia
