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Dizziness
Leg or arm weakness
Tremors
Vascular dementia results from conditions that damage your brain's blood
vessels, reducing their ability to supply your brain with the amounts of
nutrition and oxygen it needs to perform thought processes effectively.
Common conditions that may lead to vascular dementia include:
Stroke (infarction) blocking a brain artery. Strokes that block a brain
artery usually cause a range of symptoms that may include vascular
dementia. But some strokes don't cause any noticeable symptoms. These
"silent brain infarctions" still increase dementia risk.
With both silent and apparent strokes, the risk of vascular
dementia increases with the number of infarctions that
occur over time. One type of vascular dementia involving
many strokes is called multi-infarct dementia.
Biochemical Tests
Biochemical tests look for changes in:
superoxidase dismutatse (SOD): an enzyme that repairs cells
and reduces damage from free radicals
malondialdehyde (MDA): a marker for oxidative stress
homocysteine (HCY): an amino acid produced as a by-product
of eating meat. High levels may be associated with increased
risk for atherosclerosis, heart attack, blood clots, Alzheimers
disease, and stroke.
testosterone (T): a steroid hormone
17 beta-estradiol (E2): an estrogenic hormone
Alternative Therapies
Herbal supplements have grown in popularity as treatments for MID. However, not
enough studies have been done to prove a significant amount of success through their
use. Examples of herbal supplements that are currently being studies for use in
treating MID include
Artemisia absinthium (wormwood): used to improve cognitive function
Melissa officinalis (lemon balm): used to restore memory
Bacopa monnieri (water hyssop): used to improve memory and intellectual function
Be sure to discuss these supplements with your doctor before taking them, as they can
interfere with other medications.
Nonpharmacological options for treatment include:
regular exercise to build muscle strength
cognitive training to regain mental function
rehabilitation for mobility issues