13 Risk Factors Of Dementia- How To Prevent It? Read article for more information about dementia
According to recent data, if more were done to stop dementia, hundreds of thousands of instances might be avoided.
Twelve lifestyle choices can reduce a person’s likelihood of developing dementia by as much as 40%. These include regular hearing exams, seven hours of sleep per night, and greater activity.
According to recent statistics from Alzheimer’s Research UK, however, only a third of Britons are aware of the fact that there are things they can do to help prevent dementia.
And only one in fifty people, according to a survey, are making every effort to prevent the disease.
13 Risk Factors Of Dementia
Some risk factors are modifiable, meaning that they can be changed. It has been estimated that around 40% of dementia cases may be the result of twelve key modifiable risk factors.
1. High blood pressure
People who have consistently high blood pressure (hypertension) in their mid-life (ages 45 to 65) are more likely to develop dementia compared to those with normal blood pressure.
High blood pressure can increase the risk of developing dementia, particularly vascular dementia, because of its effect on the heart, the arteries, and blood circulation.
2. Smoking
The evidence is strong and consistent that smokers are at a higher risk of developing dementia vs. non-smokers or ex-smokers.
It’s never too late to quit! Smokers who quit can reduce their risk of developing dementia.
3. Diabetes
People with type 2 diabetes in mid-life (ages 45 to 65) are at an increased risk of developing dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.
4. Obesity
Obesity in mid-life (ages 45 to 65) increases the risk of developing dementia. Obesity also increases the risk of developing other risk factors such as type 2 diabetes.
5. Lack of physical activity
Physical inactivity in later life (ages 65 and up) increases the risk of developing dementia.
6. Poor diet
An unhealthy diet, high in saturated fat, sugar, and salt, can increase the risk of developing many illnesses, including dementia and cardiovascular disease.
7. High alcohol consumption
Drinking excessively (more than 14 drinks per week for women and more than 21 drinks per week for men), can increase your risk of developing dementia.
8. Low levels of cognitive engagement
Cognitive engagement is thought to support the development of a
“cognitive reserve”. This is the idea that people who actively use their brains throughout their lives may be more protected against brain cell damage caused by dementia.
9. Depression
People who experience depression in mid- or later life have a higher risk of developing dementia. However, the relationship between depression and dementia is still unclear.
Many researchers believe that depression is a risk factor for dementia, whereas others believe it may be an early symptom of the disease, or both.
10. Traumatic brain injury
People who experience severe or repeated head injuries are at increased risk of developing dementia. Brain injuries may trigger a process that might eventually lead to dementia.
This particularly affects athletes in boxing, soccer, hockey, and football, which often have repeated head injuries.
Falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury. Falling is especially dangerous for older adults.
11. Hearing loss
Mild levels of hearing loss increase the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Though it is still unclear how exactly it affects cognitive decline, hearing loss can lead to social isolation, loss of independence, and problems with everyday activities.
12. Social isolation
Social isolation can increase the risk of hypertension, coronary heart disease, depression, and dementia.
Staying socially active may reduce the risk of dementia. Social interaction may also help slow down the progression of the disease.
13. Air pollution
The relationship between air pollution and dementia is still unclear. However, it’s estimated that those living close to busy roads have a higher risk of dementia because they may be exposed to higher levels of air pollution from vehicle emissions.
Experts have recommended for the inclusion of brain health more prominently in the NHS Health Check and said straightforward measures like hearing tests in our 30s and 40s could help reduce the incidence of dementia.
To find out how they rank on modifiable risk factors and what they can do right away to improve their chances of avoiding it in the future, the public can take the charity’s online survey.
Dementia, a general term for a number of brain conditions that affect memory, reasoning, and cognition, affects about 900,000 individuals in the UK and 7 million in the US.
The Lancet Commission reached the following conclusion in 2020: By focusing on 12 modifiable risk factors, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, physical inactivity, excessive alcohol use, and smoking, up to 40% of cases could be averted or postponed.
A survey of more than 2,000 people indicated that only 2% of the population is taking the essential steps to reduce risks as much as feasible, despite the fact that cases are expected to rise by 75% by 2050.
For instance, social isolation, depression, physical inactivity/obesity, and brain injuries from falls are all risk factors that can be modified. Hearing loss has also been connected to these five risk factors.
Previous studies demonstrated that people who wear hearing aids have a 50% reduced chance of moderate cognitive impairment than people who do not, and that they can slow the progression from mild cognitive impairment to dementia by 27%.
However, the majority of people who require hearing aids still do not utilize them due to stigmas around them and access issues.
According to the most recent study, while 35% of respondents claimed they had concerns about their hearing, 60% said they had taken no action.
Hearing checks should be normalized and made “more accessible, more inexpensive, and can more readily be used by persons who have hearing impairment,” according to Dr. Sarah Bauermeister, senior scientist at Dementia Platforms UK.
‘Regular hearing checks at all population levels is very important and this is across the lifespan so that it’s normalised to have a hearing check whether you’re 30 or 40.
‘And then if we normalise hearing checks, it will normalise the wearing of a hearing aid, and the stigma will then be reduced about wearing a hearing aid.’
Fewer than a third (31 per cent) of the public said they get the recommended seven hours of quality sleep a night – the recommended amount for good brain health.
And over a third of people report that they are failing to challenge their brain regularly, with 32 per cent only managing to do this occasionally, and 4 per cent seldom doing it.
Scientists hope that by raising awareness of risk factors – which change as we age – people can take steps to reduce their chances of getting the disease.
Professor Jonathan Schott, chief medical officer for Alzheimer’s Research UK, said the disease had become people’s ‘biggest fear’ over ageing.
Increasing numbers of people are undergoing genetic testing, he said, which accounts for the remaining 60 per cent of cases.
Yet greater public awareness of lifestyle tweaks could reduce cases by tens of thousands a year, he suggests.
He said: ‘Dementia is now the most feared consequence of ageing and so people are wanting to know what they do about their risk.
People are coming to us after getting their genetic testing completed, which they can’t change, and asking about what they can do to reduce risk.
We can use the fact that several of the risk factors mentioned—including blood pressure, smoking, and other factors—are risk factors for both cancer and cardiovascular disease as part of the public health message.
“This tool has been designed because it is empowering for people to realize that there are things they can do.
WHAT IS DEMENTIA?
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of neurological disorders
A GLOBAL CONCERN
A broad category of progressive neurological conditions (those affecting the brain) that affect memory, thinking, and behavior is referred to as dementia.
Dementia comes in many different forms, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most prevalent.
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A mix of several dementias may exist in some individuals.
Each person will experience dementia in a different way depending on the type that is identified.
Although dementia is a worldwide disease, it is more prevalent in richer nations where people are more likely to survive to very old ages.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED?
According to the Alzheimer’s Society, there are currently over 900,000 dementia sufferers in the UK. By 2040, it is expected to reach 1.6 million.
Between 50 and 75 percent of those with dementia have Alzheimer’s disease, making it the most prevalent type of dementia.
There are thought to be 5.5 million Alzheimer’s patients in the US. In the upcoming years, a similar percentage increase is anticipated.
A person’s likelihood of having dementia rises with age.
Although the rates of diagnosis are rising, many dementia sufferers are still believed to be undetected.
IS THERE A CURE?
Currently, there is no cure for dementia.
But new drugs can slow down its progression and the earlier it is spotted, the more effective treatments can be.
