Understanding Vascular Dementia and Stroke

Vascular dementia is called vascular dementia because it occurs after a cardiovascular event called a stroke. It is not the most common kind of dementia, but it is still a serious disease that often requires an assisted living facility or home care. In one study, between 9.6 percent and 14.4 percent of people with one stroke suffered from vascular dementia. 

After a recurrent stroke, approximately 29.6 percent to 53.1 percent of people suffered from dementia. This kind of dementia is not any different from other kinds of dementia, other than how it is caused. Learn more about this kind of dementia here.

What Causes Vascular Dementia

Vascular dementia occurs most commonly after the age of 65, with the risk increasing significantly by the age of 90. This disease is caused by a vascular event where blood does not reach the brain in a timely manner. It is an irreversible problem caused by stroke. When a blood vessel has a blockage, blood can not reach the brain. That blockage is often caused by a disease or internal bleeding.

The blood provides important nutrients and oxygen to the brain. When the brain can't get those things, there may be some brain cells that expire. This will cause vascular conditions such as stroke, which will lead to dementia. 

Types of Vascular Dementia

There are two kinds of vascular dementia. They are called cerebral amyloid angiopathy and subcortical dementia. Subcortical dementia is marked by a small vessel problem. In this condition, the small vessels are damaged by stroke and are twisted. This is the problem that will result in less blood flow to the brain.

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy is a kind of dementia that is caused by a protein problem. The protein is called amyloid. When that protein blocks vessels in the brain, this results in a plaque buildup which slows down brain activity. This can lead to dementia, and is also seen in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Symptoms of Vascular Dementia

The symptoms of vascular dementia are very similar to the symptoms of other kinds of dementia. The patient has a difficulty in making decisions, with planning and organizing being among the most difficult decisions to make. They may also have large motor movement impairment. Their walk or gait may be impacted, and they have a poor balance.

It is impossible to diagnose vascular dementia on its face. A doctor will perform a variety of tests to determine if brain function is different than what it would normally look like after a stroke. However, if you or a loved one have suffered a stroke, and are experiencing vascular dementia symptoms, it could be very possible that there is vascular dementia.

How to Treat Vascular Dementia

There is no one treatment for vascular dementia. It is treated very much the same as other types of dementia. There are slightly more symptoms of vascular dementia than there are in many other kinds of dementia. An assisted living facility may be the best solution for someone with this disease.

Because there may be mobility issues, exercise is not advised unless a doctor has given the okay. Sitting activities such as entertainment, games, and puzzles can help a vascular dementia client.

Get Information on Vascular Dementia Today

Vascular dementia is a disease that impacts those that have had a stroke. It is irreversible, and a tragedy, every time. Contact someone for support if you or a loved one is suffering from vascular dementia.

Meditation And Recovery: Why Consider Meditation

During the recovery journey, there are many types of treatment that may be suggested to you. It is important to remember that in recovery, one size does not fit all. Different types of treatment work for different people. In addition to mainstream addiction recovery services, such as those you'll find for detox in Phoenix Arizona,  there are also complementary and alternative approaches. These types of approaches are sometimes referred to as CAM (complementary and alternative approaches to mainstream). Meditation is one such CAM approach to recovery.

What is Meditation?

Many people have a huge misconception about meditation. When you say meditation they automatically think of monks chanting in a temple. Having a good understanding of meditation is the first step in utilizing this tool in your recovery.

Meditation is simply an exercise that helps you focus on connecting your mind and your body. Many people who struggle with addiction also struggle with disconnectedness. There is often a disconnection between their mind, their thoughts, their ideas, and their actions. Taking time each day to focus on better connecting your mind to your body and your actions can have a  tremendous effect on your choices and your life.

During most meditation practices you will find a quiet place free of distractions. You will sit comfortably and simply focus on your breathing, a sound, or even an idea for a certain amount of time. During this time you should focus on not judging yourself. Let thoughts arrive and leave as they like, always returning your focus to your breath. In its most simple form, this is meditation.

How Will Meditation Help Me?

This type of practice helps the individual to focus on their feelings and thoughts of the present moment. You release yourself from the regret of the past. You release yourself from anxiety over the future and you simply sit at this moment with your breath. Over time this practice can help you to accept feelings and thoughts without judgment.

Meditation can help you create a sense of peace and calm in your life. Addiction can sometimes be a result of feelings of loss of control and of pervading chaos. Substance abuse gives individuals a feeling of having a safe place to go to escape. Meditation provides this as well, but without the damaging effects of drugs. Through meditation, you begin to learn that your own inner world is a safe place to be.

In addition to these benefits, meditation has also been shown to have several physical benefits as well.

Additional Benefits of Mediation

Habits and Cravings- A daily meditation practice will give you the opportunity to connect with yourself each day and evaluate the choices you want to make. This is vastly different from the way most people enter their days mindlessly without ever giving their actions and choices real thought. Adding this examination time to your day will, over time, have a dramatic effect on the choices you make concerning habits and cravings.

Sleep- Many people who meditate report having better more restful sleep. This is because you are slowing your thought processes down, which reduces anxiety. Many sleep problems are linked to anxiety.

Improved Mood- As you continue your meditation practice each day, you will begin to feel a sense of being grounded and in better control of your mood and choices. This feeling will affect your mood in general, increasing feelings of confidence and hope.

The road to recovery can be filled with challenges. The best way to overcome these challenges is to have an array of tools you can use. Meditation is one such tool you can add to your recovery process.