Health Chatter: Dementia - Reducing Your Risk

Dementia is a general term for a group of conditions that affect the brain, including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, and frontotemporal dementia.

Each of these diseases affects the normal functioning of brain cells by damaging them, interrupting the connections between cells, and/or causing them to die.

Dementia is not a natural part of ageing.

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What’s the risk?

Not everybody will develop dementia, but anyone can be at risk. There are three main risk factors:

1. Age Age is the biggest risk factor, and the risk increases significantly from age 60 onwards.

2. Genes It’s very uncommon to inherit dementia, but our genetics can play a part. If you’ve inherited certain genes your risk may be slightly higher, however, having these genes doesn’t guarantee you will develop dementia.

3. Lifestyle There’s not a lot you can do about age or your genes, but your lifestyle is something you can do something about.

   1. Smoking and regularly drinking more than the recommended limits both increase the risk of developing dementia. Quit smoking and keep your alcohol intake within healthy limits to reduce your risk of dementia. Current UK guidelines recommend drinking no more than 14 units of alcohol a week, spread over several days. This will reduce your risk for a host of other health conditions too.

   2. Eating a healthy, balanced diet is a great way to look after your heart, and your heart health can be a big factor in your dementia risk. Aim for at least 5 portions of veg & fruit a day, and cut down on sugary snacks.

   3. Regular physical exercise can also help reduce your risk. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity a week – such as brisk walking, swimming or cycling – plus strength-building exercises on two days per week.

   4. Staying socially connected, learning new skills, and keeping mentally active may also support brain health.

      
      

Although dementia is rare in people under 60, building the foundations of a healthy lifestyle when we are younger is the best way to reduce our risk.

Symptoms of dementia:

• Memory problems

• Difficulty processing information or concentrating

• Problems communicating - e.g., finding the right words

• Difficulty planning or organising

• Mood swings

• Changes in behaviour

• Delusions or hallucinations

If you or a family member is worried about dementia, book an appointment to see a GP for advice and support. Take someone with you, if possible, so they can help explain any behavioural changes, and help you remember what the doctor said.

If the appointment is for a family member, it might be a good idea to suggest you go along with them.

A GP may refer the person to a memory clinic or specialist for further assessment and diagnosis. Our sources and for more information: https://www.nhs.uk https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/ https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/

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