I’ve heard that vascular dementia is progressive and cannot be stopped. What makes it progress? Does vascular dementia progress by another stroke?
My main question is can you prevent the worsening of vascular dementia by treating the underlying disease? Also, what about vascular dementia caused by white matter disease? Just trying to find a glimmer of hope here.
My last question is what were you or your loved ones first signs of vascular dementia? And how long did it take to progress to a moderate form?
https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia/types-of-dementia/vascular-dementia
This is a pretty comprehensive article.
https://www.medicinenet.com/binswangers_disease/article.htm#what_is_binswangers_disease
Treatment and progression depend on the the success in treating the underlying disease and on the area of the brain effected - complicating matters is that it may coexist with other forms of dementia like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's.
My mom never had a diagnosis, all I had to go on was her history of TIAs and a report that her MRI "lit up like a Christmas tree", in fact I had never heard of vascular dementia until I was desperately searching on line trying to figure out what the heck was happening. Mom lived with dementia for 7 or 8 years.
You have already gotten links to some good articles, I just wanted to add my mom's experience since she has vascular dementia, however I also agree with Martz that everyone's journey is different. My understanding is that with vascular dementia it can present very differently depending on what area of the brain is affected.
My mom was diagnosed with vascular dementia about 3 years after she had a stroke. The brain damage from the stroke was near the language center in the brain so she had significant aphasia and trouble finding her words but she recovered from that and got back to about 80% functioning. In those first 3 years she seemed okay to me as far as dementia, I never suspected it, as she was able to hide her increasing struggles pretty well.
Now she is 2 years into her diagnosis, and during that time she has progressed from mild to moderate stage.... so about 5 years from that initial stroke so far.
My mom's stroke was caused by high cholesterol that she was lazy controlling for years. Now she takes her meds religiously as to prevent another stoke. She also takes BP meds. So even though vascular dementia is progressive it can be slowed down with meds that prevent future strokes and TIAs.
My mom's mobility isn't great but all of her doctors have said exercise is helpful. Basically a healthy lifestyle.
If this is the start of your caregiver journey you might be feeling overwhelmed. I know I did, and it can be scary. This forum is very helpful, not just for getting info but for when you need to vent, cry, laugh, and talk to others who understand what you are going through. So, welcome!
Yes, vascular dementia is progressive yet everyone who has it progresses differently. It's not a one size fits all disease.
My 94 year old Mom started showing signs over 10 years ago (she never had a stroke) when she started getting lost driving. I don't remember the year but it was at least 10 years ago. Today she is doing fine with normal confusion and forgetfulness (she does remember her childhood), it's the short term memory that's affected.
Again, everyone progresses differently. I do knock on wood that my Mom has not had any strokes.
Best to you!
Jenna
https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia/types-of-dementia/vascular-dementia
The link is to a very good overview of vascular dementia, plus access to lots of other information.
The other point to mention is the common mantra in dementia care: "when you've met one person with dementia, you've met one person with dementia." You *cannot* predict what will happen to yourself or your loved one with any certainty at all based on other people's individual experiences.
With vascular dementia, where compromised blood supply can affect just about any function originating in the brain (i.e. most of them), it's even more like playing whack-a-mole. The best way to be prepared is to have a good support network.
Her decline has been in big steps, not gradual decline. It's usually been marked by other health events, shocks to the system (my dad's death), and now the isolation due to Covid. She never recovers from a step down.
She's never had an actual stroke.
I had not heard the term "White Matter Disease" until you mentioned it now. I would have said it sounds like the chicken vs the egg discussion of which came first, but when I looked up White Matter Disease on Web/MD, they say this:
Can It Be Prevented?
Age-related white matter disease is progressive, meaning it can get worse. But you can take steps to stop it from spreading. Scientists think you might even be able to repair the damage, if you catch it early.
Keep your blood pressure and blood sugar in check. That can lead to white matter changes. To keep your heart healthy, follow a low-fat, low-salt diet, and get about 2 and a half hours of moderate-intensity exercise each week. Manage diabetes if you have it and keep your cholesterol in check. If you smoke, stop now.
This is pretty standard advice for all of us. Keep moving as long as you can.
Talk to the neurologist about getting a baseline neuropsych assessment done when that is possible.
I would suggest that you learn more about it by going to YouTube and searching "Teepa Snow" and "Careblazers" and scrolling to find VaD. Also mayoclinic.org and webmd.com are good resources.