There are several risk factors contributing to the development of dementia in seniors, including genetics, which cannot be changed, but also lifestyle and environmental factors, which we may be able to control. Research suggests that traumatic brain injury is a crucial risk factor for seniors with dementia. After a moderate to severe brain injury, certain changes occur in the brain, which has been observed to be similar to the pattern of changes seen in people with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. A traumatic brain injury can be caused by forcefully hitting the head or a sharp object piercing through the skull to the brain. Either way, both experiences cause significant damage to the blood vessels and brain cells, thus affecting a person’s cognitive functioning. Here is all you need to know about the link between brain injuries and dementia.
Types of Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury is often referred to as repeated head trauma or an acquired brain injury. Dementia Pugilistica, on the other hand, is a term commonly used to describe a traumatic brain injury caused by repeated brain injury damage from activities like football or boxing. A brain injury can be classified as either mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the severity of the damage.
Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury
Brain injuries can affect an individual’s overall physical and cognitive functioning and may cause learning and speaking difficulties. Depending on the intensity and severity of the damage, traumatic brain injuries may amplify symptoms of dementia, including speech and eating problems, difficulty concentrating, memory loss, and balance and coordination problems. A traumatic brain injury may cause temporary or long-lasting changes in a person’s thought process, behavior, actions, movement, and speech. Usually, when older adults develop dementia after experiencing a traumatic brain injury, the problem is creating new memories and remembering recent ones. Older memories are not usually affected. Common symptoms of a traumatic brain injury include:
- Dizziness or comatose states(if severe)
- Vomiting
- Headaches and blurred visions
- Mood swings and confusion
- Difficulty concentrating or recollecting memories/impaired thinking
- Loss of coordination
- Agitation
Reducing the Risk of Dementia
Besides brain injuries, several other risk factors can cause dementia. They include obesity, diabetes, depression, smoking, and high blood pressure. Based on these, here are five essential tips for reducing the risk of dementia.
- Wear Caps and Helmets. Protecting your head and brain from an injury is vital, as damage can cause life-threatening conditions and memory-related diseases.
- Take Care of Your Heart: Always get regular checks for your blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels. Also, check your weight regularly during your visit to the doctor and stay away from smoking.
- Engage in Exercise; Older adults need to remain physically active with age. You can engage in low-intensity workouts such as cycling or walking for a few minutes daily.
- Challenge Your Brain: Keep your brain healthy and your mind sharp at all times. Learn a new skill, adopt a new hobby, take online educational courses, join a reading group, or learn new crotchet techniques.
- Eat Healthily: Maintaining good nutrition will help keep your body and mind healthy at all times, thus reducing the risk of developing certain health conditions.
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