Dementia is a topic that is extremely prominent across the globe; however, not many people are aware of the true impact of the condition. Not only is it expected to affect 2 million people worldwide by 2051, it also costs £30,000 to treat and care for each dementia sufferer.
So what else do you need to know?
What is dementia and what are the different types?
Dementia is the term used to describe a variety of symptoms that, over a long period of time, contribute to overall brain health decline. There are 6 known types of dementia that each affect the brain in different ways. The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease which affects 62% of all dementia sufferers.
The second most prominent type of dementia is vascular dementia. This type of dementia is caused by an impaired supply of blood flow to the brain – such as that caused by a series of strokes. Due to the fact that the brain cells aren’t getting the correct amount of blood, they die. This differs from Alzheimer’s disease which, instead, is caused by a lack of specific chemicals that help to transmit signals around the brain.
Both Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies are caused by build-ups or alpha-synuclein protein deposits form at the case of the brain. These proteins are responsible for a reduction in nerve cell connections and lower amounts of important brain cells.
Frontotemporal dementia only affects 2% of all dementia sufferers. It causes issues with language and behaviour because it affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. This is one of the more difficult types of dementia to diagnose.
The final type of dementia is mixed dementia which occurs when more than one type of dementia is affecting the brain. In most cases, the two types found are Alzheimer’s disease and Vascular dementia.
Our infographic
In order to highlight the true extent of the impact of dementia, as well as offer some tips for dealing with a diagnosis, we’ve created this infographic. It walks you through a number of global dementia statistics as well as some tips on dealing with the diagnosis. Check it out below and let us know what you think!
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