Symptom 7. Problems with Speech and Language
One of the more profound effects of vascular dementia is the impact on an individual’s speech and language capabilities. This typically manifests as difficulty finding the right words, understanding language, or even speaking at all. This impairment can be both frustrating and distressing for the person, affecting their ability to communicate and interact with others.
Initially, the individual might have trouble finding the right words during a conversation. They might pause often, substitute words, or ‘talk around’ a word they can’t recall. In more severe cases, they may experience speech slurring or even lose the ability to speak.
Understanding language can also be a challenge. They might struggle to follow complex sentences or have trouble comprehending rapid speech. Reading and writing, once simple tasks, may become increasingly difficult, further compounding their communication issues.
This symptom results from the reduced blood flow to areas of the brain responsible for language and speech processing. With insufficient oxygen and nutrients, these areas can’t function optimally, leading to the observed difficulties with speech and language. (7)
