Interventional Neurology Specialist Dr. Elif Sarıönder Gencer said, “In people with cardiovascular risk factors, the cause of forgetfulness may be stroke, not Alzheimer's disease. Early diagnosis of these patients is very important for preventive treatment. Stroke disease should be considered in patients with forgetfulness and progressive cognitive impairment.”
Memorial Antalya Hospital Neurology Department Specialist. Prof. Dr. Elif Sarıönder Gencer made statements about the causes and consequences of stroke.
Stroke, disability and death
Uzm. Prof. Dr. Elif Sarıönder Gencer stated that stroke, which is a serious health problem in Turkey and in the world, is a serious cause of disability and death due to the lack of nutrition of brain tissue for certain reasons. Gencer said, “Stroke is the first leading cause of disability and the second leading cause of death all over the world and in our country. Many conditions that cause temporary obstruction in the brain vessels can cause stroke. For example, narrowing of the carotid arteries, clotting from the heart, blockages in small vessels. Such vascular blockages can be seen frequently in patients with diabetes, blood pressure and smokers. Stroke can be seen in all middle-aged and elderly patients with atherosclerosis. When we think of atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases come to mind, but almost all diseases that cause cardiovascular disease can cause cerebrovascular occlusions. In other words, smoking, uncontrolled blood pressure, uncontrolled diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, unhealthy life, genetic predispositions can cause brain blockage and stroke.”
“The most common cause of forgetfulness is Alzheimer's, the second most common cause is stroke”
Underlining that stroke can also lead to forgetfulness, Specialist. Dr. Elif Sarıönder Gencer stated that 70 percent of stroke patients struggle with Alzheimer's-like forgetfulness. Gencer continued as follows: “Stroke can cause sudden arm or leg weakness, speech impairment, change in consciousness, but also sudden imbalance, unilateral vision loss. One of the unthinkable symptoms is forgetfulness. Stroke can also cause forgetfulness. Alzheimer's is the most common cause of forgetfulness, the second most common cause is stroke. Cerebral vascular occlusions can cause stroke depending on their structure, shape and multiplicity, and 70 percent of patients who have had a stroke have to deal with Alzheimer's-like forgetfulness to some extent in the period after the stroke.”
“Three different types of stroke can cause forgetfulness”
Explaining that three different types of stroke can lead to forgetfulness, Specialist. Prof. Dr. Elif Sarıönder Gencer stated that patients with progressive forgetfulness should also be evaluated in terms of stroke. Gencer said, “Three types of stroke can cause forgetfulness; the first one is the type of stroke that causes blockage in the small vessels of the brain without symptoms such as arm and leg weakness, the disease we call small vessel disease. This disease can occur in people with uncontrolled blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol, people with weight problems, people who live irregularly and smokers. Those with progressive vascular forgetfulness without symptoms of stroke, such as limb weakness, difficulty speaking, imbalance, etc. should be evaluated for stroke, and if they have a stroke called vascular dementia, they need stroke preventive treatment. Otherwise, dementia can progress to a progressive and untreatable stage. Patients with jugular vein occlusions, especially those with severe stenosis and occlusion in two jugular veins at the same time, may have rapidly progressive forgetfulness, Alzheimer-like forgetfulness. Alzheimer's does not improve with treatment, here it is necessary to apply the right treatment that will increase the brain's nutrition to a critical level.”
“Doctor checks should not be neglected”
Drawing attention to the fact that stroke is a serious cause of disability, Specialist. Dr. Elif Sarıönder Gencer stated that these patients should not neglect the doctor's control. Gencer gave the following statements: “Stroke is a serious cause of disability, and the need for care may increase due to forgetfulness, which is one of the prominent causes of disability. These patients cannot be rehabilitated due to forgetfulness and a certain degree of cognitive impairment. Preventive measures should be taken and doctor controls should not be neglected”.
“Stroke may be the cause in patients with dementia-like forgetfulness”
Pointing out that stroke should not be ignored in patients with vascular dementia, Uzm. Dr. Gencer concluded his speech as follows: “In people with cardiovascular risk factors, the cause of forgetfulness may be stroke, not Alzheimer's disease. Early diagnosis of these patients is very important for preventive treatment. Stroke disease should be considered in patients with forgetfulness and progressive cognitive impairment.”
