Dementia covers a group of diseases that affect patients’ brains, resulting in memory problems, communication problems, difficulties performing daily life tasks, and behavioral changes. Dementia is already a challenging disease for patients as well as caregivers of dementia patients. Therefore, it’s really important to rule out the myths of dementia. The more accurate knowledge people have about the disease, the better they can respond to it.
Myth 1: I have Memory problems, that means I am suffering from dementia
Memory loss is not always due to dementia. Memory loss can also be caused by the natural aging process. 40% of people over 65 years of age forget things due to the aging process. Things like where did you leave your wallet or what was the passcode of your laptop, what did you wear to the last family dinner, etc. are not signs of dementia. As we grow older, we might forget things or take more time to remember things, but we can still perform our daily routine tasks easily. Dementia affects this ability to perform daily routine tasks.
Myth 2: If my family have Dementia, I would develop Dementia too
In most cases, family history does not cause dementia, although genetics can be a risk factor in some instances.It has been noticed that usually people who develop dementia don’t have any family history of it. Only 5% of total dementia patients have a family history of the disease.
Myth 3: Dementia is caused by Aluminum
It is a common myth that dementia is caused by aluminum particles. Aluminum cooking ware or cans can cause dementia. Research shows aluminum particles are also found in healthy brain cells; therefore, there is no evidence that aluminum can cause dementia.
Myth 4 Smoking cause Dementia
While smoking can be a risk factor for dementia, not everyone who smokes will develop dementia. Smoking brings a lot of risk factors for different diseases; people who smoke are more likely to develop dementia. Quitting smoking can also reduce this risk factor.
Myth 5 Dementia is Reversible
Dementia is not reversible; it cannot be cured. There are some medications that can slow the progress of dementia in some cases and help manage the symptoms. Scientists and researchers are trying their best to find a cure.
Myth 6 Dementia is Preventable
Just like there is no cure for dementia, it is not preventable either. Till now, there is no such thing that can provenly prevent dementia. Making better life choices, such as eating healthy, being physically active, eating balanced and healthy food, and avoiding excessive use of alcohol and smoking, can reduce the risk factors.
Myth 7 Memory Supplements can prevent Dementia
As mentioned above, there is no evidence to date that dementia can be prevented through memory-boosting supplements and vitamins. Various studies have also been done on the same topic, but no vitamin or supplement has been proven to prevent the disease.
Myth 8 Dementia Patients are Aggressive
It is a common myth that dementia patients are always aggressive. If you are a caretaker of a dementia patient and you see signs of aggression, you need to look out for reasons that are causing aggression. Most people living with dementia are non-violent and non-aggressive. A study shows aggression in dementia patients is mostly caused by other significant reasons, such as physical pain and a poor relationship between caregiver and patient.
Myth 9 If I have Dementia, My life is certainly over
People have this misperception that if they are diagnosed with dementia, their lives will be over. This is not the case, thankfully. Many people diagnosed with dementia are living a meaningful life. Although it is progressive and affects the day-to-day tasks of a person in severe cases, in initial and mild cases, people can live their lives with some adjustments.
Myth 10 Marijuana can prevent and treat Dementia
Although scientists and researchers are working to find out the effects of marijuana on dementia patients, there is no evidence to date that proves dementia can be treated or prevented by cannabis or marijuana.
Myth 11 Dementia only affects older people
Dementia is not only a disease of elderly people; it can happen to young people too. Most dementia patients are 65 or older. Therefore, people confuse it with an elderly disease. Young people, even those in the age bracket of 20–30 years or 40–50 years, can also develop dementia known as young-onset dementia.
Myth 12 Alzehimers and Dementia is a same thing
While both affect the brain and cause memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are not the same disease. Alzehimers is a type of mostly commonly known dementia; therefore, it is often confused with the same disease. Both conditions share some common symptoms and characteristics; each type has its own effects on specific parts of the brain.
Myth 13 Dementia is not fatal
Doctors initially thought that dementia was not a fatal disease. It has been confirmed by a study that dementia can be fatal in some cases. The burden and fear of disease are an underestimated factor that may cause the death of a patient.
Conclusion
A lot of myths are associated with dementia that add to the stigma and misconceptions about the disease, making it really hard for affected people to live a meaningful life. Due to these common myths, many people have the misconception that they are unable to live a normal life immediately after the diagnosis. This is not true; although the disease is progressive, it may develop severe symptoms over a period of years. Dementia is not always the same for every person. Some people may develop the symptoms early, and some may develop them slower than others. The only way to reduce the risk of dementia is by opting for a better lifestyle and making healthier choices.
Legal Disclaimer
This blog is solely intended for informational and educational purposes; any information used in the blog should not be considered medical advice. In case of any health concerns, it is advised to urgently seek medical help.
