"Vascular dementia is preventable; therefore early detection and an accurate diagnosis are important," according to an article at emedicine.com . The article is titled "Vascular Dementia" and was written by Kannayiram Aliagiakkrishnan, MD, MBBS, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, at the University of Alberta. It explains that vascular dementia is the second most common cause of dementia, after Alzheimer's Disease. Vascular Dementia, the article explains, is "not a single disease; it is a group of syndromes."
Some of the points in the article that caregivers might like to know include the following.
(1) A stroke causes increased risk of vascular dementia.
(2) There is a wide spectrum in types of vascular dementia.
(3) Alzheimer's Dementia and cerebrovascular disease together can occur and this is "mixed dementia."
(4) The article said "one-third of patients with vascular dementia are found to have significant Alzheimer's pathology."
(5) Dementia is "nine times higher in patients who have had a stroke."
(6) People with vascular dementia frequently have changes in behavior and mood, and assessment for depression is important.
(7) Memory deficits, social and occupational functioning, and verbal difficulties are some of the characteristics of people with vascular dementia.
(8) Risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and cerebrovascular disease.
(9) A study in Rotterdam showed an increased risk of vascular dementia with a higher fat intake diet, and a lessened risk with an increase in fish in the diet.
(10) Other symptoms can be "agitation, wandering, aggression and sleep disorders."
Showing posts with label stroke caregivers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stroke caregivers. Show all posts
Monday, December 10, 2007
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Hope4Stroke.com - Caregivers Can Know the Stroke Symptoms and Call 911
At Hope4Stroke.com three symptoms of stroke are listed as: (1) having a crooked smile when asked to smile, (2) when asked to hold arms out like sleep walking one arm is lower and (3) the person's speech might be garbled or words incorrect. If caregivers see any of these symptoms the directions are to call 911 immediately and get to a hospital.
Rapid medical response can make a big difference, so it is important to act quickly. Minutes might make the difference in the severity of the stroke.
A stroke causes communication in parts of the brain to decrease or stop. Speech, memory, sight, feelings, swallowing and other functions may be affected.
I was a caregiver for a 97 year old lady once who suddenly began having difficulty speaking. Throughout the day she had been fine. Her speech was suddenly garbled and she was not using words that made sense.
I called 911, and she was taken by ambulance to the emergency room. The hospital was able to treat her quickly, to minimize the effects of the stroke. Later she was able to return home, begin her daily walking exercise again, and go back to her reading, television, and other activities.
The cause of a stroke is either when a blood vessel has burst or there is a blocked blood pathway.
The website explains that 60% of the people who have a stroke become depressed. The article advises people to work hard for rehabilitation, and to avoid comparing yourself to others who have had a stroke because everyone's recovery will be different.
The website explains that in the United States there are 4.8 million survivors of strokes and it is the top reason for disability. Each year there are 750,000 more stroke cases, and strokes are the number three reason for death.
Caregivers for stroke survivors are often overwhelmed with the needs of the loved one who had a stroke. A caregiver's personal freedom and spare time can be taken up with caring and feeling tired, sad, and overburdened is not unusual. Joining support groups, such as the one at caregiver.com can help and be a way to learn tips.
It's important for caregivers and family members to understand the frustration and depression that someone who has had a stroke often experiences. The person might say things in a frustrated way that are unkind, but it is due to the tension of the circumstances. It helps if the family knows this so no one takes things personally.
Caregivers often feel there are few places to get help, and become severely run down.
Rapid medical response can make a big difference, so it is important to act quickly. Minutes might make the difference in the severity of the stroke.
A stroke causes communication in parts of the brain to decrease or stop. Speech, memory, sight, feelings, swallowing and other functions may be affected.
I was a caregiver for a 97 year old lady once who suddenly began having difficulty speaking. Throughout the day she had been fine. Her speech was suddenly garbled and she was not using words that made sense.
I called 911, and she was taken by ambulance to the emergency room. The hospital was able to treat her quickly, to minimize the effects of the stroke. Later she was able to return home, begin her daily walking exercise again, and go back to her reading, television, and other activities.
The cause of a stroke is either when a blood vessel has burst or there is a blocked blood pathway.
The website explains that 60% of the people who have a stroke become depressed. The article advises people to work hard for rehabilitation, and to avoid comparing yourself to others who have had a stroke because everyone's recovery will be different.
The website explains that in the United States there are 4.8 million survivors of strokes and it is the top reason for disability. Each year there are 750,000 more stroke cases, and strokes are the number three reason for death.
Caregivers for stroke survivors are often overwhelmed with the needs of the loved one who had a stroke. A caregiver's personal freedom and spare time can be taken up with caring and feeling tired, sad, and overburdened is not unusual. Joining support groups, such as the one at caregiver.com can help and be a way to learn tips.
It's important for caregivers and family members to understand the frustration and depression that someone who has had a stroke often experiences. The person might say things in a frustrated way that are unkind, but it is due to the tension of the circumstances. It helps if the family knows this so no one takes things personally.
Caregivers often feel there are few places to get help, and become severely run down.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Stroke Symptoms and Survivor's Needs
The website at americanstroke.org you will find symptoms that someone is having a stroke and how to recognize a stroke.
If you click on the "Survivors" tab on the left of the website and choose "Bill of Rights" there is a page full of insightful information titled "What I Needed Most from My Family, Friends, and Myself".
One of the ten "Rights" states "I needed you to love me - not for the person I was before but for who I might become". Number ten on the list is "I needed you to come close and not be afraid of me."
As a caregiver I've been in situations where I've noticed symptoms that could be a stroke, and it's important to get emergency room help as soon as possible. You can call 911 for an ambulance.
The Stroke Survivor's Bill of Rights says "come close and not be afraid of me" and sometimes others are indeed afraid to be around someone who has had a stroke. Some people feel nervous when they are around a person who is ill. Recovering from a stroke can take time, and the survivor needs others for social contact and support.
There is a lot of research about the isolation that people feel when they are ill, and this can add to the suffering. They need to know they are still lovable, still important, although they might be feeling frail and vulnerable.
If you click on the "Survivors" tab on the left of the website and choose "Bill of Rights" there is a page full of insightful information titled "What I Needed Most from My Family, Friends, and Myself".
One of the ten "Rights" states "I needed you to love me - not for the person I was before but for who I might become". Number ten on the list is "I needed you to come close and not be afraid of me."
As a caregiver I've been in situations where I've noticed symptoms that could be a stroke, and it's important to get emergency room help as soon as possible. You can call 911 for an ambulance.
The Stroke Survivor's Bill of Rights says "come close and not be afraid of me" and sometimes others are indeed afraid to be around someone who has had a stroke. Some people feel nervous when they are around a person who is ill. Recovering from a stroke can take time, and the survivor needs others for social contact and support.
There is a lot of research about the isolation that people feel when they are ill, and this can add to the suffering. They need to know they are still lovable, still important, although they might be feeling frail and vulnerable.
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