7 myths about dementia you need to stop believing

Dementia is a complex neurological condition that affects millions of people worldwide, not only robbing them of their memories but also their independence and identity.

It is an umbrella term for a range of cognitive impairments characterized by a progressive decline in thinking, memory, and reasoning abilities.

Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, accounting for a significant portion of cases.

Other types include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia, each with its unique set of symptoms and progression patterns.

Dementia’s impact extends beyond the individuals suffering from it; it also places a considerable emotional and practical burden on their families and caregivers and managing it requires a multidisciplinary approach.

When looking up information regarding dementia online, it’s critical to separate the truth from the fiction.

Like any other illness, dementia too isn’t free from mongering myths and here we debunk some of them.

1. Alzheimer’s and dementia are the same condition
Although used interchangeably, Alzheimer’s is a specific and common type of dementia. It is a progressive brain disorder characterized by the accumulation of abnormal protein deposits in the brain which interfere with the normal functioning of brain cells, leading to memory loss, cognitive decline, and changes in behavior.

Dementia is an umbrella term that refers to a group of symptoms related to cognitive decline, including memory loss, impaired reasoning, and changes in behavior or personality. It is not a specific disease but a syndrome caused by various underlying conditions.

2. As people age, dementia symptoms become more prevalent
As they age, many individuals get increasingly forgetful, for example, sometimes missing items are common. However, typical symptoms and indicators, such as frequently making incorrect judgements and decisions, having trouble identifying friends and family, or forgetting the date or the season, are not a natural part of aging and should be consulted with a healthcare professional.

Early detection can be the best treatment for a victim.

3. If one forgets thing easily, they must have dementia
Memory lapses can be caused by various factors, and not all of them indicate dementia. Occasional forgetfulness or memory problems are a normal part of life, and they can happen to people of all ages for reasons such as stress, fatigue, lack of sleep, medication side effects, or simply the natural aging process. Dementia is characterized by more severe and progressive memory loss, along with other cognitive impairments that significantly interfere with daily life.

4. Dementia is a genetic disease
One might be concerned about getting dementia if a parent or close family has the condition. If a person carries particular genetic variations that can be inherited from a parent, they have an increased risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease. But, the presence of an Alzheimer’s-affected biological parent does not automatically predispose a kid to the disease.

5. There is no quality of life with dementia
Some individuals worry that if they receive a dementia diagnosis, they won’t be able to go on a stroll by themselves and will have to stop driving their car right away. While it is true that the modifications may become essential as the illness worsens, in mild cases, they may not be required at all. Changes in behavior are probable as dementia gets worse, but this does not indicate that the person can no longer live a full life. People with dementia can still live happy and full lives with the correct support and care.

6. Vitamins and supplements can prevent dementia
Till date, there is no proven evidence that any vitamin or mineral supplements can reduce the risk of dementia. In 2018, the Cochrane Library conducted a review with the aim of answering this question and said, “We did not find evidence that any vitamin or mineral supplementation strategy for cognitively healthy adults in mid or late life has a meaningful effect on cognitive decline or dementia, although the evidence does not permit definitive conclusions.” Instead of self-prescribing medications which might have damaging effect on the body, it is always better to consult a doctor.

7. Everyone who has dementia becomes angry and aggressive
Dementia patients may occasionally struggle more and more to understand their surroundings. Some people may become furious as a result of the frustration caused by this uncertainty. However, not everyone experiences this. In the study, ‘Causes of aggressive behavior in patients with dementia’, involving 215 people with dementia, 41% of the participants developed aggression during the 2-year study. When looked at factors that increased the risk of developing aggression, the researchers identified two of the primary factors as physical pain and a low quality relationship between the person and their caregiver.