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According toCenters for Disaster Control and Prevention, there are about 5 million adults living withdementia-And this number pushes each year. In fact, by 2060, they predict this number to multiply to nearly 14 million. Although often called a disease or illness, dementia is in fact a general term to describe "the ability to alter to remember, thinking or making decisions that interfere with daily activities". While forgetting from time to time a name or keys of lost car, a normal part of aging, dementia is not. Here's all you need to know about it - including the number one cause of the memory depreciation condition.Read on and to ensure your health and health of others, do not miss theseSure sign that you have "Long" Covid and may even know.

According toNational Institutes of the National Institute of Health on AgingDementia is defined by the loss of cognitive operating and can go slight to severe. This includes thought, memory and reasoning - in addition to behavioral capabilities "to an extent of a measure where it interferes with the daily life of a person," she says. "These functions include memory, linguistic skills, visual perception, problem solving, self-management and the ability to focus and be careful." In addition, some people with the disease can not control their emotions and global personality can change. In the worst scenarios, the person can not live alone and must depend on others to help the basic activities of life.

Although it is normal to lose neurons during the aging process, in the case of dementia, more of these nerve cells once healthy stop working, lose connections with other brain cells and die.

Another thing about dementia? It's progressive, explainsCarlyn Fredericks, MD, Expert in memory loss in the neurology department of Yale Medicine. "Unfortunately, the symptoms of dementia worse over time despite our best efforts," she saysEat this, not that!

There are several types of neurodegeneration, as indicated by the CDC.

Alzheimer's disease: Alzheimer is the most common form of dementia, responsible for 60 to 80% of cases. It is caused by specific changes in the brain. It is generally manifested as memory problems that looks like problems reminiscent of recent events, including conversations that have just happened. Then, after the disease progresses, someone might have difficulty remembering more distant memories. Other questions - Difficulty in walking or conversation or personality changes - are also common later. The biggest risk factor? Family history. "Having a first degree parent with Alzheimer's disease increases the risk of developing it from 10 to 30%," says the CDC.

Vascular dementia: Features or other blood flow problems can also cause dementia in the form of what is called vascular dementia, accounting for about 10% of cases. Other risk factors include diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. "The symptoms vary depending on the area and size of the affacked brain. The disease progresses stealily, which means that symptoms will suddenly irrave, because the individual gets more shots or mini-shots," explains the CDC.

Demoration of Lewy's body: This form of dementia is manifested in memory loss as well as movement or equilibrium problems such as rigidity or trembling. "Many people also feel changes in vigilance, including day drowsiness, confusion or tail spells. They can also have trouble sleeping at night or visual hallucinations (see people, objects or Forms that are not really there) ", explains the CDC.

Front-temporal dementia:Personality and behavior changes define frontal-temporal dementia, named after the part of the affected brain. "People with this disease can embarrass or behave inappropriately. For example, a previously careful person can make offensive comments and neglect home or work responsibilities. There may also be linguistic skills issues such as speaking or understanding, "said CDC.

Mixed dementia: Individuals may feel more than one type of dementia in the brain, especially if they are over 80 years old. It is not always obvious that a person has mixed dementia since the symptoms of a type of dementia can be the most important or overlapping with symptoms of another type, "the notes of CDC. And, when There is more than one type of dementia, the disease can progress much faster.

According to the CDC, there are many symptoms of dementia, with many of them described above. The most common is the loss of memory, problems related to particular attention, problems of communication, reasoning, judgment and problem solving and visual perception beyond the typical vision changes related to age.

Specific signs that may cause dementia include getting lost in a familiar neighborhood, using unusual words to refer to familiar objects, forgetting the name of a family member or a friend, forgetting old memories Or not be able to perform many tasks independently.

According to the CDC, there are many dementia factors.

Age: The older you have old, the more likely you are to develop dementia.

Family History: Dementia takes place in the family, according to the CDC. "Those who have parents or brothers and sisters with dementia are more likely to develop dementia themselves," they explain.

Race / ethnicity: According to the CDC, the older African Americans are twice as likely to have dementia that the whites, while the Hispanics are 1.5 times more likely to have dementia than whites.

Cardiac health: Those who have bad cardiovascular health are more likely to develop dementia. Arterial hypertension, high cholesterol and smoking can all play a role.

Traumatic brain lesion: "Head injuries can increase the risk of dementia, especially if they are serious or occur repeatedly," says the CDC.

According to the CDC, the main contributing factor of dementia is becoming more age, most cases affecting these 65 and over. The second? Family history.

In most cases, dementia is not avoidable, Dr. Fredericks explains that there are many contributory factors that you can do something about "including improving your exercise level (in particular Cardiovascular form), a reduction in heavy alcohol consumption, improve your sleep (and treat sleep apnea, if any), eat well (a Mediterranean diet seems to be particularly useful) and ensuring that you Working with your doctors to keep a narrow eye on chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, "she explains.

Alzheimer's association detailed best practices to prevent dementia in10 ways to love your brain. "The growing evidence indicates that people can reduce their risk of cognitive decline by adopting key lifestyle habits," they explain.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for most types of dementia, including Alzheimer, on the CDC. However, there are drugs that can help protect the brain or handle symptoms, including changes in anxiety or behavior.

RELATED:Without a sign that you can have dementia, according to the CDC

If you believe you or a loved one, demonstrate symptoms of dementia, theNihRecommends contracting your drug supplier for an assessment. "Do not be afraid to have them check early!" Encourages Dr. Fredericks. "Have an experienced doctor, you evaluate and determine whether it is necessary to test other tests - whether blood tests, cerebral imaging or neuropsychological paper tests - and - can help you identify the cause of your Symptoms as soon as possible (and do you reassure yourself if what you feel is more likely the result of normal aging). "And to cross this pandemic with your healthiest, do not miss these 35 places you are most likely to catch Covid .