Dementia Disease: Causes, How to Prevent it?
Dementia is a commonly used broad term for the loss of memory or brain function gradually. It’s not exactly a single disease, but a group of effects or symptoms of underlying issues. Mainly there are 2 categories for dementia: Alzheimer’s and non-Alzheimer based.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most known form of dementia that occurs in people. Alzheimer’s disease dementia causes memory loss, brain function loss, and impairment in speech, language, and perception.
Non-Alzheimer dementia causes frontotemporal lobar degeneration, which means it affects the front and temporal lobes of the brain. There are also two main types: Speech-based impairment and the other type can cause personality changes, loss of social filter, behavioural changes, apathy, lack of emotion and trouble with organization and planning.
What are the common risk factors for dementia?
The risk of developing dementia keeps rising as we age. According to WHO, about 5 to 8 % of people over 60 years of age have some form of dementia. There are a few conditions that can increase due to it:
- diabetes
- hearing loss
- depression
- Parkinson’s disease
- Huntington’s disease
- HIV
- hydrocephalus
- atherosclerosis
- atherosclerosis
The Alzheimer Society presents a few evidence-based ways to reduce or prevent dementia as you age:
Keep yourself physically active every day
Go on Walks, rolls, jogs. Dance, your heart out, swim for fun, ride your bicycle, or do physically straining work or chores. Any kind of physical activity is better than doing nothing at all.
Check up on your hearing
With constant use of headphones, and earphones for long times, loud party music and noises daily are already a cause for your hearing loss. Hearing loss can increase the risk of dementia by 90%. Protect your ears from loud noises and get your hearing tested often.
Be socially active
Stay connected to people, and engage more with your family, friends, partner and community. You could do virtual calls if they’re too far away. They count as well. Social isolation can cause an increase in risk due to loss of surroundings and the same mundane lifestyle.
Stop smoking
Quit or reduce smoking as quickly as possible. Even if a bit late doing so can improve your brain function and reduce your risk. If it’s too hard to quit, try taking professional help to tackle addiction.
Consume Less Alcohol
Alcohol is known to slow down brain function. A little more drink beyond your capacity leads to severe hangovers and blackouts. If this occurs daily, imagine what alcohol causes over a long period. Try limiting alcohol consumption from daily to occasionally or stop it altogether.
Avoid getting brain injury or concussions
Be mindful and stay away from activities which can cause brain injury if anything goes wrong. Don’t put your brain at risk. Also, follow traffic rules and drive safely to avoid accidents and getting your brain injured. Do wear a helmet if riding an open vehicle like a bike.
Get quality or better sleep
Work yourself to get 6 to 8 hours of sleep each night. If you have sleep-related issues or insomnia, get checked and get help from healthcare professionals.
For more health related articles, click here!
