Important Myths About Dementia

Dementia a disorder of the elders carry a lot of myths like drug abuse causes dementia, red wine protect you and so on. Both dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are both mysterious with some of these myths holding the factual truths. Here are a few myths and facts about this mysterious disease.

Myths and facts about dementia:   

Myth#1: Dementia is caused by exposure to aluminum

As Paul B. Rosenberg, MD, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences in the division of geriatric psychiatry and neuropsychiatry at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore says aluminum has nothing to do with dementia; this is an inference from a type of dementia caused many years ago by aluminum that made its way into dialysis patients. Also some also comprehended that dementia was caused out of cooking in aluminum pots and drinking water from aluminum cans which is also not true.

Myth#2: Dementia is caused by early drug abuse.

Paul B. Rosenberg, MD comprehended that this area has also not been fully explored, though currently there is no data to support this connection between drug abuse and Alzheimer's or dementia. He felt that however drug abuse was not a healthy choice.

Myth#3: There is nothing you can do about dementia once you have it.

It is true that dementia is a progressive disease, but steps can be taken to slow down its progress and to find ways to compensate for loss of cognitive abilities in the early stages. Your doctor could prescribe medicines that would address symptoms of dementia helping you to lead as physically, mentally and socially active life as possible.

Myth#4: Red wine protects you from dementia.

This is a very controversial argument because there is little evidence that low-level social drinking helps. Many heavy drinkers tend to die young, skewing the data. You will have to take 20 bottles per night to get the protective benefits of resveratrol, a chemical found in red wine.

Myth#5: Concussions in youth and middle age cause dementia.

This myth has been stimulated by the increased rates of early dementia in former football players though Dr Rosenberg says that this aspect is yet to be studied.  

Myth# 6: Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease is inherited.

Not necessarily, though some forms of dementia are inherited from close relatives as parents or siblings; however exercise, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol will help prevent dementia.

Myth #7: Alzheimer’s disease and dementia is the same thing.

There are many more types of dementia characterized by different symptoms though Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia.

Myth#8: Gingko biloba can prevent memory loss.

Not necessarily because studies have shown that gingko biloba has no significant effect on the memory.

These are just some of the myths surrounding dementia; a certified doctor would be the best person to get any information about the causes and prevention of dementia.