The therapist named the main risks of dementia development and its signs

Dementia is a disease that negatively affects thinking, memory, and the ability to carry out daily activities and progresses over time. The main risk of its development is social isolation, when a person closes in on himself and communicates little with others. In conversation with Izvestia, Oksana Pivovarova, professor of the Department of Therapy at the Medical Faculty of the State University of Education, therapist, told us more about the disease.

"Smoking, which negatively affects the vessels of the brain, thereby reducing the flow of oxygen to the tissues and increasing hypoxia, leads to the development of dementia. Age also plays an important role. Dementia, as a rule, is observed in people of the older age group, from 65 years and older, when neuronal connections in the cerebral cortex deteriorate," she explained.

According to her, people in the older age group are already sedentary. Their blood supply to organs decreases, which leads to a kind of starvation of tissues. Lack of physical activity is another risk factor for dementia.

Among them, Pivovarova also named high blood pressure, which leads to cerebral hypoxia, and excessive use of alcohol and drugs, the consequence of which is the deterioration of cognitive functions.

"All factors culminate in a single entity - the destruction of brain cells. Among the signs of dementia - lapses in memory, disorientation in space, up to complete disorientation, difficulties in solving everyday tasks, which before did not cause problems, inability to follow a thought, sudden "falling out" of a conversation, a very sharp change in mood and behavior: people close in themselves, practically stop communicating with others, do not follow themselves," - warned the therapist.

According to the doctor, dementia prevention includes refraining from alcoholic beverages and cigarettes, keeping fit, proper nutrition, socializing with relatives and friends, attending events that broaden horizons and bring something new into everyday life.

"You definitely need hobbies, things that spark interest, new activities that stimulate mental activity, brain activity, whether it's learning a foreign language, solving math problems or something else. You also need regular check-ups with a doctor and medical examination if necessary - to prevent the development of more serious diseases," - concluded Pivovarova.

Earlier, on November 5, nutritionist nutritionist Larisa Gabdulkhakova told "Izvestia" about the impact of excess weight on the appearance of dementia. According to the expert, it is especially dangerous on the stomach, because it actively releases inflammatory substances and molecules, thereby causing inflammation throughout the body.