Complications Of Mild Cognitive Impairment

People who are at risk of developing mild cognitive impairment should consult a doctor the soonest possible to avoid the complications associated with it. The people who are prone to develop complications of the disease include older age people, individuals who have got a gene APOE -e4, people suffering from metabolic diseases, etc.^[1] Heart and brain work in conjunction with each other maintaining healthy heart, blood circulation, and brain functioning are quite important for memory and cognition. Any impairment in cardiovascular functions due to high blood pressure and blood sugar can have an adverse impact on the brain resulting in the stroke.

People should always get involved in brain-stimulating activities to maintain cognition. One of the major complications of people suffering from mild cognitive impairment is dementia. As per a study one or two percent of senior citizens develop dementia and among these people only at 10 to 15% of the people have dementia which has been progressed from mild cognitive impairment. The progression of mild cognitive impairment to dementia may take about 5 years.^[2]

People who have mild cognitive impairment are likely to develop dementia with progressive age, but it is not necessary that all people suffering from mild cognitive impairment will end up with dementia.

When people grow older there will be many gradual changes in the body and your body may not respond as quick and fast as an adult young body. It is common to find gradual a forgetfulness and especially in an elderly population where they tend to forget the names of individuals. The mental performance of situations will be hampered and the cognitive abilities are decreased. Certain medications are the risk factors for mild cognitive impairment and complicate the progression of the disease. The commonly used OTC medications for sleep, anticholinergics, opiate analgesics, and antihistaminic drugs complicate the patients’ mental status. Certain drugs such as benzodiazepines should not be stopped abruptly as it causes illusions and hallucination, causing temporary loss of memory.^[3]

Here we present you a few complications which can be seen in day to day life of people who have mild cognitive impairment

Increased Forgetfulness And Progressive Dementia. This is the most common complication of mild cognitive impairment and it is seen in almost all individuals who have symptoms of mild cognitive impairment, forgetting names of the people, keeping things at one place and forgetting, tracking of appointment for doctors, social engagements, etc. The disease progresses to Alzheimer’s disease or frontotemporal dementia.^[4]

Broken Thoughts. Any normal individual will have a chain of thoughts or conversations for the next event or task to be done, planning the day or maintaining a proper log of things, etc. People tend to forget the series of events which are expected to happen or which they were expected to do, there will be the broken chain of thoughts which is disturbing for them and adding more stress to the life.

They find it difficult to understand and perform day to day activities and making decisions. Patient suffering from mild cognitive impairment tend to forget their daily routines, travel routes, their duties, and responsibilities etc. This makes them difficult to move around the house or on the street and they need to be accompanied by somebody.

Emotional Disturbance. The embarrassment of forgetting things and making poor decisions adds to psychological stress. People start ignoring their statements and words which are heartbreaking. This results in emotional trauma and distress. Such patients become self-conscious adding the symptoms of depression.^[5]

Psychiatric Problems. People suffering from mild cognitive impairment often tend to become the victims of irritability and aggression anxiety and apathy.

Conclusion

There are various studies which support and that elderly people suffering from mild cognitive impairment often tend to end up with dementia. The percentage of people with mild cognitive impairment ending up with dementia is only 10-15. Mild cognitive impairment can lead to neurodegenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease or frontotemporal dementia. If the memory loss is increasing in short people have to be extra cautious and seek immediate medical attention. Your family and friends will be the best guide who can support you emotionally during this stressful situation.

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Complications Of Mild Cognitive Impairment