Dementia

Dementia is not a disease, in and of itself, but a symptom of a deeper, underlying mental and physical health issue. People with dementia may experience memory loss and issues with problem solving and judgment. They may also experience behavioral changes, delusions and even language problems. The presence of any one symptom does not automatically signal dementia. Doctors generally diagnose dementia when two or more brain functions are significantly impaired, without loss of consciousness.

Dementia in the Latino Population
Health care providers are realizing that Latinos tend to develop dementia earlier than non-Latinos. A study by Dr. Steven Arnold, Director of the Penn Memory Center at the University of Pennsylvania shows that the age of onset in Latinos averages three-and-a-half years younger than non-Latino whites and five years younger than blacks. However, this disparity is not due to genetic factors but socio-economic and lifestyle factors. On average, Latinos - especially recent immigrants - have less access to adequate public health care and may have higher incidences of high-risk factors for dementia - such as uncontrolled hypertension and diabetes.

Preventing Dementia

There are several factors that may help people prevent, or delay, the onset of dementia:

- Keep your brain active. Mental activities stimulate the brain and help increase your cognitive reserve.

- Protect your blood vessels. Control your glucose and cholesterol levels, maintain a healthy blood pressure and weight, and quit smoking. All of these lower the risk of vascular dementia.

- Be active. Exercise stimulates the production of growth factors, which help neurons survive and adapt to new conditions.

- Controlling inflammation and using NSAIDs. There are several studies that link Alzheimer's with inflammation in the brain. NSAIDs (naproxen, ibuprofen and other drugs) are believed to reduce inflammation.