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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
Do you ever walk into a room and forget why you went in there? Or struggle to find the right words in a conversation? More than half of people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience cognitive problems, and some may wonder whether MS can lead to dementia. In fact, there is some evidence that people with MS may have a higher risk for developing dementia. Symptoms of dementia can overlap with some of the cognitive problems associated with MS, and it may be difficult to tell the two apart. That said, memory loss and other forms of cognitive impairment (reduced ability to think clearly) don’t necessarily mean you have dementia. In this article, we’ll look at what studies revealed about the potential connections between MS and dementia, and we’ll discuss ways to help keep your brain as healthy as possible as you age. What Is Dementia?Dementia refers to a broad category of symptoms that affect thinking, memory, and social interactions and that are severe enough to affect your daily life. It’s important to know that dementia itself does not refer to a specific disease. Many conditions can cause dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Other types of dementia include Lewy body, frontotemporal, and vascular dementia.Typical symptoms of dementia include memory loss or difficulty with one or more of the following: Communication or the ability to find the right words Visual-spatial tasks, such as getting lost in your own neighborhood Problem solving Planning and organizing Coordination and motor function Orientation, such as being confused about what time or day it is, or where you are Decision-making Understanding complicated tasks Sometimes, behavioral and psychological symptoms are a part of dementia. These can include: Personality changes Socially inappropriate behavior Agitation Depression or anxiety Paranoid behavior Hallucinations It is often a family member or caregiver who first notices these symptoms, along with memory problems.Symptoms of memory loss may be reversible, depending on their cause. In many situations, based on the main symptoms and the area that is affected, your doctor can figure out what is causing dementia.Dementia vs. Alzheimer’s DiseaseIn older adults, dementia is most commonly a result of Alzheimer’s disease. In this condition, proteins called beta-amyloid and tau build up in the brain. This causes abnormalities that get worse over time. Eventually, the brain shrinks and brain cells die. This process is known as brain atrophy. Alzheimer’s disease causes the progressive symptoms of dementia, and this results in a slow and steady decrease in thinking skills, memory, and social abilities. Additionally, Alzheimer’s typically affects older adults: Over 70 percent of people with Alzheimer’s are 75 or older, according to Mayo Clinic. Memory loss is the hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. Over time, this defining symptom worsens, and loved ones will typically notice the change. Other symptoms of dementia also may appear. Does MS Cause Dementia or Alzheimer’s?MS causes cognitive changes, but it does not cause Alzheimer’s, as these are two different diseases. That said, it is possible for a person to have both.
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