Dementia Awareness: What is Dementia, And How Can We Reduce The Risk?

Do you know that there are about 55 million people globally who have dementia, and that the number is expected to grow? Dementia affects memory, thinking, and behaviour, making daily tasks harder for those who suffer from it. Everyone, whether personally affected or not, ought to know about dementia and be familiar with how to prevent the onset of dementia.

What is Dementia?

Dementia is a general term that describes a group of symptoms that harm memory, thinking, and social skills. The symptoms are severe enough to interfere with daily life. Dementia is not a natural or unavoidable part of ageing, although it does happen more frequently among older adults.

Dementia has numerous types, but the most common type is Alzheimer’s disease. It is responsible for 60–80% of dementia cases. Other types of dementia include Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and vascular dementia. They all have varying causes and present with different symptoms, but they all have the element of progressive brain damage in common.

Who Can Be Impacted?

Dementia can strike anyone, but some groups of people are more at risk. Older people over the age of 65 years are more prone to getting this disorder, but it may also occur in young people. It is referred to as early-onset dementia, which is when dementia affects people under the age of 65 years. Genetics also contributes to the cause of dementia; for example, individuals with a family history of dementia may be at risk.

Heavy smoking, unhealthy diet, and lack of exercise can heighten the risk of dementia. Also, certain medical conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease are strongly associated with elevated risk.

Dementia not only impacts the individuals who have it. Families, caregivers, and communities tend to experience emotional as well as practical difficulties in assisting a person with dementia. For this reason, awareness is needed, and everyone should be engaged in building a supportive environment.

What Are the Symptoms?

Dementia’s symptoms vary according to the type and stage. Early on, signs may be subtle, often mistaken for normal forgetfulness or stress. However, as the condition progresses, the changes become more noticeable and impactful.

Some common symptoms include:

• Struggling to remember recent events or conversations.

• Finding it hard to follow conversations or think of the right words.
• Changes in personality and behaviour.

• Losing track of time, misplacing items, or becoming lost in familiar places.

• Experiencing anxiety, depression, or irritation.

• Struggling with everyday activities like cooking or managing finances.

Can Dementia Risk Be Reduced?

Though there is no method that can completely avoid dementia, research has established that certain habits can lower the risk of its onset. Changing to a healthier lifestyle and managing known risk factors can save your brain and postpone cognitive decline. So, the following are some of the ways to minimise the risk of dementia:

• Stay Active: Regular exercise enhances the flow of blood to the brain, keeping it healthy. Walking, dancing, or gardening are some of the exercises that can keep your mind active.

• Maintain a Balanced Diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats is very beneficial for the body and brain. Staying away from processed food and saturated fats can further lower health risks.

• Challenge Your Brain: Exercising your brain by doing puzzles, reading, or learning something new reinforces the connections between brain cells, which may put off memory problems.

• Socialise Regularly: Being in touch with people can help prevent loneliness and keep your brain active. Club membership or even talking to friends can make a big difference.

• Maintain Health Conditions: Diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure can all harm the brain’s blood vessels. It is essential to keep them in check.

• Avoid Smoking and Limit Alcohol: Smoking damages brain cells, while excessive alcohol use can harm brain function. Cutting back on these habits supports long-term health.

• Sleep Well: The brain requires sufficient sleep to repair itself and for memory. Try to get 7-8 hours each night to reduce the risk of cognitive impairment. Poor sleeping routines or sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, are linked to an increased risk of cognitive impairment.

It needs to be mentioned that although these actions can lower the risk, they are not foolproof, and there is no guaranteed way to prevent dementia entirely.

Conclusion

Dementia is a complicated ailment that affects millions of people worldwide. In order to address this growing problem, we must understand what dementia is, recognise its signs, and be aware of the people at risk of contracting it. Although dementia cannot be prevented completely, we can drastically reduce the risks of its occurrence by controlling our current medical conditions and developing healthier lifestyles. By raising awareness of dementia and creating supportive communities, we can create a system in which people and their families are respected and understood. It is also worth mentioning that even small lifestyle changes can make a huge difference to brain health and enhance the quality of life for years ahead.

To deepen your understanding and make a difference, explore our Level 2 Award in Awareness of Dementia today and join the movement towards better brain health.