Explore The Top 10 Dementia Risk Factors And Ways To Manage Them!

Have you ever noticed yourself forgetting things more often lately? Maybe you need help finding the right words or feel confused about familiar tasks. These could be early signs of dementia, affecting memory, thinking, and daily life. While it's mainly seen in older adults, it's not just a normal part of ageing. 

Instead of just waiting for things to happen, we can learn about the factors that can help prevent dementia. By knowing these things, we can make choices that will keep our brains healthy and strong. We can also help our loved ones make healthy choices to protect their brains.

Let's learn about dementia risk factors and find ways to keep our brains healthy and strong. 

Key Highlights

• Dementia is the 7th (seventh) leading cause of death worldwide.

• Over 55 million people have dementia, and nearly 10 million new cases hit globally.

• The major contributor to dementia is Alzheimer's disease, which contributes to about 60–70% of cases.

• People with dementia can face problems concentrating, improper communication, Reasoning, judgement, and problem-solving.

Table of Contents 

1. What Is Dementia?

2. Top 8 Dementia Risk Factors 

3. Symptoms Of Dementia

4. Ways To Manage Dementia

5. The Final Say

6. FAQs

7. References 

What Is Dementia?

Dementia refers to a mental condition which is severe enough to interfere with daily life. This can affect memory, thinking, language, judgement, and behaviour. 

It can be caused by many underlying diseases like Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. Unfortunately, there is no cure for dementia, but there are several prevention options that help manage the signs and slow down the progression of the disease. 

These treatment options may include medication and lifestyle changes. It's important to note that dementia is a progressive disorder, which means that it will worsen over time. However, with the right treatment and support, people with dementia can continue to live independently and enjoy a good quality of life for as long as possible.

Also Read: Know Why The Core Of All Lifestyle Disorders Including Heart Health Is Stress! 

Top 8 Dementia Risk Factors 

Many factors can ultimately contribute to the development of dementia. Even Doctors find 15 factors that increase the risk of getting dementia, some of them are: 

1. Ageing 

One of the major contributors to dementia is old age or simply ageing. Most of the dementia cases have been reported over the age of 65, but it's not only the case; even the people living in their 40s-50s are equally under the radar of its risk factors.

2. Family History Or Genetics

Another possible reason for dementia is the family history. Dementia can have various causes and risk factors, and one of them may be a family history of the condition. If a close relative, such as a parent or sibling, has experienced dementia, there is a possibility that other family members may also be at risk for developing the condition. It's important to discuss any concerns with a healthcare professional to learn more about potential risk factors and preventative measures.

3. Excessive Alcohol Consumption 

Alcohol consumption can cause various disorders, including heart and brain-related issues. Research has shown that excessive alcohol consumption can lead to changes in the brain, and alcohol use disorders increase the risk of developing dementia. It's essential to be mindful of how much alcohol you consume and to seek help if you are struggling with alcohol consumption.

4. Atherosclerosis

It is another possible reason for dementia. It refers to plaque formation in the arteries responsible for hindering the blood flow in the brain. Due to this, brain cells do not get enough oxygen and get damaged. 

Moreover, when atherosclerotic plaques may rupture or block blood vessels supplying the brain, it can cause a stroke. Strokes damage brain tissue depending on their location and severity, potentially leading to various types of dementia, including vascular dementia.

5. High Cholesterol Levels 

 The same is true with dementia because high levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein), which is also called bad cholesterol, can increase the risk of vascular dementia. 

Not only this, they are equally harmful to our health and can contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease. 

Therefore, it is generally advised not to consume processed, oily, and fried or junk foods like pizza, burgers, or french fries.

Also Read: Normal Range Of Cholesterol Level: Maintain A Healthy Lifestyle

6. Depression

You know, chronic or recurrent depression may increase vulnerability to brain changes associated with dementia, such as reduced synaptic activity, neuroinflammation, and neuronal death. Depression is related to imbalances in neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which also play a role in cognitive function and memory.

7. Head Injuries 

People with severe head injuries are at greater risk of acquiring Alzheimer's disease. Extensive studies reveal that the chances of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease after (Traumatic Brain Injury) TBI are elevated in people over 50 years of age. 

For people with more severe and multiple TBIs, the risk also increases. Research indicates it may be the highest within the first six months to two years after such an injury.

8. Sleep Disorders

People diagnosed with sleep apnea and other sleep disorders are more prone to dementia. During deep sleep, the brain's glymphatic system flushes out waste products, including beta-amyloid, a protein associated with Alzheimer's disease. Insufficient sleep impairs this process, potentially allowing beta-amyloid to build up and contribute to dementia. Inadequate sleep disrupts this process, potentially impacting cognitive function and increasing dementia risk.

Also Read: Sleep Better: Everything You Need To Know About Sleep

15 Other Factors That Can Contribute To Dementia

• Lower formal education

• Lower socioeconomic status

• Two copies of the APOE4 gene

• Exposure to environmental toxins 

• Social isolation

• Vitamin D deficiency

• High C-reactive protein levels

• Lower handgrip strength

• Air pollution

• Hearing impairment

• Diabetes

• Heart disease

• Smoking

• Orthostatic hypotension (when blood pressure drops after standing up after sitting or lying down)

• Stroke

Symptoms Of Dementia

The various signs and symptoms include the following:

1. Cognitive changes 

• People may face memory loss or problems concentrating

• Individuals may face trouble communicating or finding words. 

• Trouble completing complex tasks. 

• Problems with planning and organisation. 

• Poor coordination and motor control 

• Confusion and disorientation. 

2. Psychological changes 

• Personality changes

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Agitation 

• Inappropriate behaviour

• Hallucinations (seeing things that don’t exist in reality)

  
  

Also Read: Discover The 7 Best Habits For Brain Health And Mental Well-Being 

Ways To Manage Dementia

Although dementia is mostly an age and genetics-related disorder, various other factors are also responsible for the same. Controlling these factors is a positive sign for preventing dementia. Let us understand them one by one

1. Say No To Alcohol Consumption

As already mentioned, drinking alcohol can damage the brain cells and lead to memory-related problems. Therefore, it is advised to just stop consuming alcohol. The long-term side effects of alcohol can even cause brain damage, known as alcohol-related dementia. Not only this, dementia is closely related to Alzheimer's disease thus, continuous drinking of alcohol can also increase the risk of this condition.

2. Eat a Healthy and Nutritious Diet

Food plays a key role in developing brain cells, so adding some nutritious and healthy foods to your diet is best. You can include the following: 

• Add a variety of foods and fruits to increase your nutrient intake.

• Limit the consumption of saturated fats, deep-fried foods, pastries, cakes and processed foods. 

• Include healthy fats for mental health (unsaturated fats) like extra virgin olive, canola, sunflower and safflower oils.

3. Increase Physical Activity

Continuous physical activity can enhance the quality of life. It also helps to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. To start your physical activity, you can do the following tasks: 

• A daily morning walk of 20-40 minutes 

• You can also go cycling to improve your endurance and fitness.

• For more fun, you can try aerobics, dancing or Zumba.

• You can try something different like swimming, rowing or surfing

• Playing games outside is another good option to improve your fitness.

Also Read: 5 Exciting Outdoor Fitness Activities: 30-Minute Outdoor Workout Plan 

The Final Say

Dementia is a serious health condition impacting memory power and thinking abilities. It can even make it difficult to communicate with others. Some key factors that are responsible for it include age, genetics, head injuries, cholesterol, excessive smoking and drinking, etc. It is important to take control of unhealthy habits if you want to prevent the risk of dementia. 

You can follow a healthy diet or practise physical activities like exercising, playing outside or walking. If you are dealing with any of the mentioned symptoms, do not delay going to your health professional and getting proper treatment. For more health-related information, you can visit ToneOp.

FAQs

1. Are dementia and Alzheimer's disease different?

Dementia involves various symptoms affecting cognitive abilities, while Alzheimer's disease is a specific type of dementia characterised by progressive memory loss and cognitive decline.

2. Can dementia be prevented?

Well, dementia cannot be prevented or cured, but one can reduce its risk and symptoms by following healthy practices like limiting alcohol consumption, eating a healthy and nutritious diet and doing physical workouts.

3. Does dementia have a cure?

Sadly, there is no treatment for the most prevalent forms of dementia. At best, the currently approved drugs can limit the rate at which the incidence of the disease decreases.

References

• Risk factors of dementia in North India: a case-control study

• Dementia

• Dementia Risk Reduction | CDC

• Dementia- Symptoms, Causes 

• Dementia: Symptoms, Types, Causes, Treatment & Risk Factors

• Dementia: An Overview of Risk Factors - ScienceDirect 

• Dementia risk factors - Queensland Brain Institute

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