The truth is that we can all leave aside certain details or specific things, but forgetting commitments and names, or not remembering important dates, are some of the characteristics of this pathology. In short, it generates an evident loss of autonomy so patients require constant care.
It is estimated that around 35 million people in the world today have some form of dementia. Although there are no epidemiological data in our country, approximations can be made of how many people currently suffer from the disease.
The National Health Survey ENS 2009-2010 reported that 10.4% of older adults have cognitive impairment and 4.5% have cognitive impairment associated with disability, which reaches 16% in those aged 80 and over. In our country it is the sixth specific cause of death.
On the other hand, according to data from the Ministry of Health, in 2015 more than 1,722 Chileans over 70 years of age died from Alzheimer’s.
“Dementia is an acquired disease, of chronic and progressive course, characterized by a deterioration in the upper brain functions, with cognitive, psychological and behavioral manifestations, in which the activities of daily life of the patients are affected,” says the neurologist of Nueva Clínica Cordillera Melissa Álvarez.
The main cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. “As risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease, the main one corresponds to age, since it occurs mainly in patients over 60 years of age and over 65 years of age, the prevalence doubles every 5 years. Another risk factor corresponds to cardiovascular disease, so in prevention the healthy lifestyle plays a fundamental role, “emphasizes the specialist.
In the initial stages of the disease there is loss to retain and learn new information, the patient may become repetitive, leave objects in unusual places, difficulty performing complex activities such as paying bills and planning activities, mood disorders, irritability, insomnia and as the disease progresses there may be loss of language and total dependence on activities of daily living.
“Some of the recommendations I make to my patients are to stay physically and intellectually active, as well as to have a good diet to avoid high cholesterol and obesity,” adds Dr. Álvarez.
On the other hand, the Preliminary National Plan for dementias establishes that, in the most developed countries, for years there has been a growing culture of healthy lifestyle, not happening the same in middle or low-income countries, which would directly affect the disease.
“With the increase in the life expectancy of our older adults, it is projected that by 2050 the prevalence of dementia will be around 135 million cases a year, so it is essential to raise awareness in our society,” he concludes.
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