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Rhett Wimmer and Bryan Dwyer discuss the three leading causes of dementia.

We categorize a breadth of symptoms in older people under the broad term “dementia.” In reality, there are many different causes of dementia. Rhett Wimmer and Bryan Dwyer discuss here the three leading causes of dementia.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s is caused by proteins that abnormally begin to build up inside the brain called “plaques.” These proteins cause tangles that collect in small locations of the brain. As the disease progresses, these proteins spread everywhere and begin to kill brain matter.

Lewy Bodies Dementia

Lewy Bodies Dementia occurs when proteins cover the surface of the brain. Symptoms include increased instances of falling down and visual hallucinations. Many times, someone with this type of dementia will see imaginary children or animals that do not really exist.

Vascular Dementia

Vascular Dementia is a the second leading cause of dementia, just behind Alzheimer’s. It is a result of insufficient blood flow to the brain. A main symptom is the patient becoming very emotional and quick shifting between emotions.

Although there is no cure for dementia, it is important to take your loved one to get evaluated by a specialist if you sense a problem. Once you get a diagnosis, you will know better how to treat and combat that kind of dementia your loved one is suffering. You will also have a better understanding of why your loved one behaves the way they do, because you will know what is happening in their brain.

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Key Points:

  • We categorize a breadth of symptoms in older people under the broad term “dementia.” In reality, there are many different causes of dementia.
  • Alzheimer’s is caused by proteins that abnormally begin to build up inside the brain called “plaques.” 
  • Lewy Bodies Dementia occurs when proteins cover the surface of the brain.
  • Vascular Dementia is a result of insufficient blood flow to the brain.

Quote This:

I hate to sound this way but, ‘Why me? Why me with dementia?’ – Pat Summit

Talk About It
  1. What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. Which of the three above causes of dementia would be hardest for you to deal with if it appeared within your mother, father, or other loved one? Why?
  3. How would you try to help your loved one if they began losing their memory?
  4. What would you do if a loved one began hallucinating?
  5. How would you handle someone with dementia who is erratically emotional?
  6. How would knowing what is going on in the brain help you deal with someone who is doing or saying some impulsive or uncharacteristic things?
  7. Write a personal action step based on this conversation.