KINGSTON, Jamaica — As the Ministry of Health and Wellness ramps up measures to prevent and manage non-communicable diseases (NCDs), Dr Brian Kazaara, a psychiatrist at the Bellevue Hospital, is highlighting the connection between chronic diseases and the neurodegenerative condition dementia.

Dr Kazaara explained that while there has been an increase in cases of dementia locally due to the ageing population, certain medical conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and stroke can increase risk by damaging the brain’s blood vessels and impairing its overall function.

NCDs like diabetes lead to high blood sugar, which harms blood vessels, while hypertension and high cholesterol also reduce blood flow to the brain. The impaired blood supply can result in reduced brain function and cognitive decline, ultimately increasing the risk of dementia.

“In Jamaica, we have very high rates of NCDs. Hypertension, diabetes — all of these are risk factors for dementia and if they are not adequately treated, they can lead to the progression of the disease in some cases, or just a reduction in the quality of life for the older adult as sometimes they may not remember to take their medication,” he said.

Dr Kazaara pointed out that physical inactivity, smoking and poor diet contribute to the risk of NCDs and the development of dementia.

“It becomes very important that you ensure that these NCDs are adequately treated,” he said.

Primarily affecting the elderly, dementia is a general term for a decline in brain function caused by the progressive damage, loss of connections and eventual death of nerve cells (neurons) in the brain.

It is a complex and multifaceted condition, encompassing a wide range of cognitive, behavioural and personality changes, rather than a single disease.

Memory loss, confusion, difficulty with familiar tasks, forgetting names, even of loved ones, are among the common signs of dementia.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that dementia is the seventh leading cause of death and a major contributor to disability and dependency among older people globally.

The impact of the disease is significant, with far-reaching consequences for individuals diagnosed, their loved ones, caregivers, and the wider society.

The doctor, who is president of the Jamaica Psychiatric Association, explained that people with dementia have difficulty performing daily tasks.

“They have trouble with things like memory. They find it difficult to concentrate, they are no longer able to perceive their surroundings as they used to, or they are no longer able to plan and problem-solve like they used to.

“It is therefore not surprising that they are no longer able to support themselves… bathing, using the toilet, being able to cook, being able to feed oneself. When someone has dementia, depending on the severity, their ability to do these tasks does decrease,” he said.

Dr Kazaara noted that, “Some persons are on the milder end of the spectrum and they may still be able to do these things while others may require a much greater level of support and that can exert a burden on family systems, both emotionally and financially.”

In addition to NCDs, risk factors associated with dementia include advanced age, family history and certain genetic mutations.

— JIS