Dementia describes a group of symptoms that are related to memory loss and mental deterioration. There are many factors that can contribute to the development of dementia. Some, such as age, cannot be helped, but others have more to do with lifestyle and are able to be adjusted to reduce your risk.
Risk Factors
There are several risk factors for dementia that are out of your control. These include:
- Age: After age 65, the risk for Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and other types of dementia will increase significantly.
- Family History: Certain types of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s, are much more likely to develop if you have a family history of the disease. Some genetic mutations that indicate certain types of the condition can be tested for before you ever begin to show symptoms.
- Down Syndrome: Down syndrome will often lead to the development of the plaques and tangles in your brain that are associated with certain types of dementia by middle age.
However, there are other factors that contribute to the risk of dementia that can be changed. These include:
- High Cholesterol: Recent research shows a link between increased levels of LDL cholesterols and higher risk of Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia.
- Alcohol Use: While alcohol in moderation can have some benefits, heavy consumption over a long period of time will increase your risk of developing dementia.
- Blood Pressure: Both abnormally high and low blood pressure can increase your risk of developing dementia.
- Smoking: Smoking increases risk for developing vascular diseases, which can lead to vascular dementia as a result.
- Obesity: If you are overweight for much of your middle-age years, your risk for developing dementia later in life will increase.
- High Estrogen Levels: Women who take estrogen supplements after menopause will be at a higher risk for developing dementia as they grow older.
Prevention
Besides taking steps to control the risk factors that are associated with your lifestyle, there are also additional steps you can take to lower your risk for developing dementia. Research has shown that your brain health can benefit from the following:
- Healthy Diet: A diet that includes lots of fruits, vegetables, fish, and nuts will promote better health and therefore lower your risk of all types of dementia.
- Education: Recent research has shown that people who spend more time in formal education have a lower rate of mental decline. This is because education helps the brain develop a stronger nerve cell network.
- Active Thinking: Puzzles, word games, and memory training are all mentally stimulating activities that can delay the onset of dementia and decrease the severity.
- Exercise: Regular physical activity can reduce the symptoms of dementia as well as delay the onset.
- Social Interaction: Similarly to physical activity, social activity can also benefit the health of your brain and decrease your risk for developing forms of dementia.
