Dementia

“Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning
— thinking, remembering, and reasoning —
to such an extent that it interferes with a person’s…”.1

Umbrella

What may the Dementia Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)
  • Dementia
  • Lewy Body Dementia
  • Mixed Dementia
  • Vascular Dementia

Terminology

Is dementia an umbrella term?

In About Alzheimer’s & Dementia: What Is Dementia? Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) also note:

“Dementia is an umbrella term for a collection of symptoms that are caused by disorders affecting the brain and impact on memory, thinking, behaviour and emotion”.2

Definition

What is dementia?

DotS the definition of dementia may vary. The (United States) National Institute on Aging’s (NIA) definition is:

“Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning — thinking, remembering, and reasoning — to such an extent that it interferes with a person’s daily life and activities”.3

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) definition is:

“Dementia is a syndrome that can be caused by a number of diseases which over time destroy nerve cells and damage the brain, typically leading to deterioration in cognitive function (i.e. the ability to process thought) beyond what might be expected from the usual consequences of biological ageing. While consciousness is not affected, the impairment in cognitive function is commonly accompanied, and occasionally preceded, by changes in mood, emotional control, behaviour, or motivation”.4

Symptoms

What may be symptoms of dementia?

In About Alzheimer’s & Dementia: What Is Dementia? the ADI elaborate on:

“The specific symptoms a person living with dementia experiences will depend upon what parts of the brain are affected and/or the specific disease that is causing their dementia. Symptoms may include:

  • Loss of memory
  • Difficulty in finding the right words or understanding what people are saying
  • Difficulty in performing previously routine tasks
  • Personality and mood changes”.5

Aging

Is dementia a normal part of aging?

According to the WHO:

“Although age is the strongest known risk factor for dementia, it is not an inevitable consequence of biological ageing”.6

Cause

What may cause dementia?

In Dementia: Key Facts the WHO explain:

“Dementia results from a variety of diseases and injuries that primarily or secondarily affect the brain”.7

Alzheimer’s Disease

What is the association between Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia?

In Dementia: Key Facts, dated 15 March 2023, the WHO note:

“Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and may contribute to 60-70% of cases”.8

Women

In women, how common is dementia?

In Dementia: Key Facts the WHO note:

  • “Women are disproportionately affected by dementia, both directly and indirectly. Women experience higher disability-adjusted life years and mortality due to dementia, but also provide 70% of care hours for people living with dementia”.9

Menopause

Is there an association between menopause and dementia?

In Menopause FAQs: Menopause Symptoms – Q. My memory is just not as good as it used to be, and it’s really bothering me. Does menopause cause this? Will it ever get better? the North American Menopause Society elaborate on:

“A. Memory and other cognitive abilities change throughout life. Difficulty concentrating and remembering are common complaints during perimenopause and the years right afterward. Some data imply that even though there is a trend for memory to be worse during the menopause transition, memory after the transition is as good as it was before. Memory problems may be more related to normal cognitive aging, mood, and other factors than to menopause or the menopause transition”.10

Prevention

How may dementia be prevented?

In Brain Health the (United States) Alzheimer’s Association explain:

“Research is still evolving, but evidence is strong that people can reduce their risk of cognitive decline by making key lifestyle changes, including participating in regular physical activity, staying socially engaged, and maintaining good heart health”.11

Health Care Provider

What if I would like reassurance I do not have dementia?

If you would like reassurance you do not have dementia, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

In Dementia: About Dementia – What Is Dementia the (United Kingdom) NHS also note:

“It’s normal for your memory to be affected by stress, tiredness, certain illnesses and medicines. But if you’re becoming increasingly forgetful, particularly if you’re over the age of 65, it’s a good idea to talk to a GP about the early signs of dementia”.12

Who is a GP?

DotS and/or DotC (Depending on the Country) a GP may be a qualified and registered general practitioner, a medical practitioner, a medical doctor or a doctor.

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Dementia?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Dementia?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

New or Updated

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  10. Alz.co.uk [Alzheimer’s Disease International]
  11. Alzheimer’s Disease
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  13. Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia: About Dementia
  14. Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia: Reducing Risk for Dementia
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  15. Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias
  16. Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias: About the ADEAR Center [Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center]
  17. Alzheimer’s Disease – Multiply Languages
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  19. Breaking Down the Burden of Alzheimer’s Disease for Women: A Call to Action
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  20. Can Genes Cause Dementia?
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  22. Communicating With Someone With Dementia
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  27. Dementia Deemed Highly Preventable: Here’s How
  28. Dementia Guide
  29. Dementia Prevention, Intervention, and Care: 2024 Report of the Lancet Standing Commission
  30. Dementia-Related Pain: What Caregivers Need To Know
  31. Dementia Research and Clinical Trials: Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers
  32. Dementia Symptoms Checklist
  33. Dementia With Lewy-Bodies
  34. Dementia With Lewy Bodies (DLB): What Is It and What Causes It?
  35. Dementia – Multiply Languages
  36. Dementia-Related Pain: What Caregivers Need To Know
  37. Dementia.org.au [Dementia Australia]
  38. Dementia: Diagnosis & Treatment
  39. Dementiauk.org [Dementia UK, United Kingdom]
  40. Depression and Dementia
  41. Diabetes and Dementia Risk: Another Good Reason To Keep Blood Sugar In Check
  42. Diets Rich In Flavonoids Linked To Better Brain Health
  43. Does Obesity Really Increase Your Risk of Dementia?
  44. Don’t Forget To Floss: The Science Behind Dementia and the Four Things You Should Do To Prevent It
  45. FDA Converts Novel Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment To Traditional Approval
  46. Five Things You Should Know About Dementia
  47. Forgetfulness Normal or Not
  48. Frequently Asked Questions Around Dementia
  49. Fronto-Temporal Dementia
  50. Frontotemporal Dementia: What Is It?
  51. Hormones and Dementia Risk
  52. How Do We Maintain A Healthy Brain?
  53. International Menopause Society Statement – Use of Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy and Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease In Finland: Nationwide Case-Control Study
  54. Living With Dementia
  55. Looking After Someone With Dementia
  56. Mayo Clinic Expert Explains Why A Change Is Needed When Talking About Dementia [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network. Name Super/CG: Ronald Petersen, M.D., Ph.D./Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center/Mayo Clinic
  57. Mayo Clinic Minute: Can the MIND Diet Improve Brain Health? [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  58. Mayo Clinic Minute: Reducing Dementia Risks [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  59. Mayo Clinic Minute: What Is Vascular Dementia? [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  60. Mayo Clinic Q and A: 4 Ways To Reduce Your Risk of Dementia
  61. Memory and Cognition
  62. Memory Loss In Women – Is It Age or Menopause?
  63. Memory Loss Is Not a Normal Part of Aging
  64. Memory, Forgetfulness and Aging: What’s Normal and What’s Not
  65. Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Dementia: Nationwide, Nested Case-Control Study
  66. Menopause: Understanding the Changes and Finding Relief | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 256
  67. Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
  68. Mindyourrisks.nih.gov [Mind Your Risks]
  69. Mixed Dementia
  70. My Doctor Thinks I Have Mild Cognitive Impairment – What Does It Mean?
  71. NINDS Dementia Information Page [National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, United States]
  72. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Dietary Supplements and Cognitive Function, Dementia, and Alzheimer’s Disease: What the Science Says
  73. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Ginkgo
  74. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  75. Other Languages
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  86. Untangling the Threads of Early Onset Dementia
  87. Vascular Dementia
  88. Vascular Dementia: What Is It and What Causes It?
  89. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: How To Protect Your Brain Health At Menopause and Beyond
  90. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: What Women Should Know About Menopause and Brain Fog
  91. What Is Dementia?
  92. What Is Dementia? Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
  93. What Is Frontotemporal Dementia?
  94. What Is the Difference Between Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease?
  95. What’s the Difference Between Alzheimer’s and Dementia?
  96. When To Seek Help for Memory Loss
  97. Why Is Dementia Different for Women?
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  99. World Menopause Day [18 October 2024]: Leaflet for Women
  100. Young Onset Dementia: Perimenopause and Menopause

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Basics of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia: What Is Dementia? Symptoms, Types, and Diagnosis.  Content Reviewed: 08 December 2022. National Institute on Aging https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-dementia Accessed: 26 August 2024
  2. About Alzheimer’s & Dementia: What Is Dementia? Alzheimer’s Disease International https://www.alzint.org/about/ Accessed: 26 August 2024
  3. Basics of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia: What Is Dementia? Symptoms, Types, and Diagnosis.  Content Reviewed: 08 December 2022. National Institute on Aging https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-dementia Accessed: 26 August 2024
  4. Dementia: Key Facts. 15 March 2023. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia Accessed: 26 August 2024
  5. About Alzheimer’s & Dementia: What Is Dementia? Alzheimer’s Disease International https://www.alz.co.uk/about-dementia Accessed: 26 August 2024
  6. Dementia: Risk Factors and Prevention. 15 March 2023. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia Accessed: 26 August 2024
  7. Dementia: Key Facts. 15 March 2023. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia Accessed: 26 August 2024
  8. Dementia: Key Facts. 15 March 2023. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia Accessed: 26 August 2024
  9. Dementia: Key Facts. 15 March 2023. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia Accessed: 26 August 2024
  10. Menopause FAQs: Menopause Symptoms – Q. My memory is just not as good as it used to be, and it’s really bothering me. Does menopause cause this? Will it ever get better? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-menopause-symptoms Accessed: 26 August 2024
  11. Brain Health. Alzheimer’s Association https://www.alz.org/we_can_help_brain_health_maintain_your_brain.asp Accessed: 26 August 2024
  12. Dementia: About Dementia – What Is Dementia. Page Last Reviewed: 20 July 2023. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dementia/about/? Accessed: 26 August 2024
Topic Last Updated: 07 October 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 26 August 2024

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