Dementia Risk: 8 Daily Habits to Avoid

As we get older, health concerns increase. But for many people, one of the biggest fears is losing memory and becoming dependent on others.

The Huffington PostIn the news of; Dr., a geriatric psychiatrist at Jefferson Health in Philadelphia. James Ellison states that one of the biggest concerns of older adults is losing their memories and becoming a burden to others.

This type of memory loss that many people fear is called dementia. Dr. D., director of the NIH Stanford Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center in California. According to Victor Henderson, dementia is a general term that covers diseases that cause loss of mental and cognitive functions at a level that affects daily life.

Dementia can cause a person to forget their address, not remember why they are doing a job, or no longer be able to pay the bills they always pay. While some people have a genetic predisposition, it is thought that some lifestyle habits may increase the risk.

Henderson notes that there are many lifestyle factors associated with the risk of developing dementia, but most of them have not been adequately investigated in randomized clinical trials. For this reason, although it cannot be said that these recommendations will completely prevent dementia, it is stated that they may benefit general health.

According to experts, 8 habits that may increase the risk of dementia:

1. Ignoring the impact of nutrition

Director of the Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dr. Christina Prather notes that many of the recommendations for preventing dementia or maintaining brain health are similar to those recommended for heart health.

Director of the McCance Center for Brain Health at Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. According to Rudy Tanzi, many habits that are good for the heart are also beneficial for the brain.

Rich in healthy fats, lean proteins, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, the Mediterranean diet is among the recommended diets for both heart and brain health. Prather also states that the MIND diet, which encourages foods such as whole grains, legumes, berries, green leafy vegetables, fish and olive oil, may also be beneficial for brain health. A plant-based diet is also among the recommended options.

2. Not keeping health problems under control

According to the news of The Huffington Post; Prather notes that not managing existing health problems can increase the risk of dementia. Diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are among the risk factors for dementia.

It is stated that effectively controlling these risk factors is one of the important ways to reduce the risk of cognitive decline in the coming years.

According to Ellison, keeping risk factors related to vascular health, especially atrial fibrillation, high blood pressure and hyperlipidemia, under control helps maintain blood and oxygen flow to the brain.

This is especially important for preventing vascular dementia, which occurs as a result of interruption of blood flow to the brain. Vascular dementia is known as one of the most common types of dementia.

3. Not getting enough and quality sleep

Ellison draws attention to the importance of adequate sleep, stating that during deep sleep, the brain renews itself and the level of beta-amyloid, a toxic protein associated with Alzheimer’s disease, decreases.

Prather says that sleep disorders that reduce sleep quality should also be treated. It is stated that undiagnosed sleep apnea is common, especially in the older age group.

Sleep apnea can lead to poor quality sleep. Additionally, the use of some sleeping pills can affect sleep patterns.

According to experts, quality sleep plays an important role in consolidating memory and maintaining healthy cognitive functions.

4. Neglecting social relationships

Prather states that maintaining social relationships is also important for brain health. It is stated that loneliness, depression and social isolation have negative effects on health.

According to the news of The Huffington Post; It is stated that this situation may affect not only cognitive functions but also general lifespan.

According to Ellison, loneliness among older adults has become a significant problem, and its impact on death risk can be similar to that of moderate smoking.

Communicating with family and friends, participating in conversations, and engaging in social interaction help stay mentally active.

5. Consuming excessive alcohol

Research reveals that alcohol has many negative effects on health. Alcohol consumption can cause liver damage, increase the risk of some types of cancer, and can also negatively affect brain health.

Prather states that one of the first recommendations for people who have problems with memory or cognitive functions is to reduce alcohol consumption.

It is also stated that alcohol can disrupt sleep patterns. As we age, the liver’s capacity to metabolize alcohol may also decrease.

According to experts, after the age of 65, consumption of no more than one standard drink a day and seven drinks a week is not recommended. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a maximum of two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women.

6. Not exercising

Ellison states that regular aerobic exercise is important as well as an active lifestyle.

This includes adopting an active lifestyle, such as walking to and from daily errands, as well as planned physical activities, such as playing sports or cycling.

Experts recommend that older adults get about 30 minutes of aerobic exercise a day, five days a week. However, it is stated that only approximately 10 percent of individuals over the age of 75 engage in this level of physical activity.

By supporting cardiovascular health, exercise also indirectly protects brain health.

7. Not wearing a helmet while cycling

Henderson points out the importance of wearing a helmet while cycling.

Numerous observational studies reveal a relationship between head injuries and dementia.

According to experts, this relationship may not have a huge impact on the general population, but it may be an important risk factor at the individual level.

8. Ignoring symptoms of depression

Ellison notes that depression can also have an impact on cognitive health.

Although major depression is less common in older ages, both severe depression and mild depressive symptoms can negatively affect behaviors that support cognitive health, such as social relationships, exercise, self-care and healthy nutrition.

Therefore, it is stated that treating depression can positively affect cognitive aging.

Risk rate decreases in some age groups

According to experts, the number of people living with dementia in the world is increasing. One of the important reasons for this is that people live longer.

The majority of dementia cases occur in older ages. However, it is also stated that the probability of developing dementia at a certain age has decreased slightly compared to the past. It is thought that this situation progresses in parallel with the developments in the field of cardiovascular health.

According to the news of The Huffington Post; It is also stated that there are some treatments for Alzheimer’s disease that can change the course of the disease and are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. It is emphasized that it is important to start these treatments early.

Experts state that a doctor should be consulted when cognitive symptoms such as frequent loss of belongings, memory changes that affect daily life, or problem solving difficulties are noticed.

Although it is stated that dementia is a disease that creates fear for many people, it is stated that lifestyle changes can have positive effects on general health.

However, it is also emphasized that some people may develop dementia due to genetic or unchangeable risk factors and that this situation should not be considered as an individual failure.

Source: Newspaper Oxygen