Dementia is on the rise—here are 12 risks to avoid

Dementia cases are on the rise globally. Learn how to protect your brain today.

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A global mental health crisis is coming – dementia.

According to the agency, the disease may be caused by a variety of diseases that gradually destroy nerve cells and damage the brain, leading to cognitive decline. World Health Organization.

With the advancement of medicine, science and technology, people are living longer and longer, and the world’s population is aging at an unprecedented rate, increasing the risk of dementia for more people.

“As the global elderly population continues to increase, the number of people living with dementia is expected to increase as well, reaching approximately 139 million cases by 2050,” recent reports. According to the World Health Organization, as of 2023, more than 55 million people worldwide will be living with dementia.

According to statistics, the number of people aged 65 and over will double to 2.1 billion by 2050 World Health Organization.

dementia risk

According to the World Health Organization, “dementia is currently the seventh leading cause of death worldwide and one of the leading causes of disability and dependence among older people worldwide,” with nearly 10 million new cases of dementia every year.

Although there is no cure for this condition, psychologists and researchers are working to prevent its onset, according to research published by the World Health Organization in 2023.

While age remains the strongest known risk factor for dementia, researchers identified 12 “potentially modifiable risk factors,” according to a 2020 Lancet Commission report Report:

less educated
hypertension
hearing loss
smokes
obesity
frustrated
lack of physical activity
diabetes
Little social contact
excessive drinking
traumatic brain injury
air pollution

According to a report in The Lancet, “These 12 modifiable risk factors together account for approximately 40% of dementia worldwide, and therefore can theoretically prevent or delay the onset of dementia.”

Research shows that while socioeconomic status and education can influence the onset of dementia, especially early in life, some other risks can be avoided.

Timothy Singham, a clinical psychologist and part-time senior lecturer at the National University of Singapore, said: “What we know now is that what’s good for the heart is good for the brain because of the many vascular dangers of dementia. factor.

So, Singham said, physical inactivity, eating unhealthy foods, not getting enough sleep, drinking too much alcohol and smoking can stress the brain and potentially cause future damage, just as they do for the heart.

While a healthy body can reduce the risk of dementia, healthy thoughts are just as important.

“We do know that people who continue to experience mental health symptoms throughout their lives actually have an increased risk of developing dementia,” Singham said.

“If we see improvements in symptoms (in mental health) across the life course, that could ultimately reduce the chance of dementia.”

How to reduce risk

Here are five key “protective factors,” or steps people can take to help prevent the onset of dementia:

Engage in regular physical activity
eat healthy
Build a healthy support network
Maintain good sleep hygiene
Find ways to regulate stress and emotions

It’s easy to get caught up in the fast pace of daily life, so taking breaks is important.

“If you’re not actively exercising, if you’re not able to breathe, if you’re not in regular contact with nature, and you’re in an office or at home all day, your mental health will be affected very quickly,” Singham said.

In addition, it is crucial to build a healthy support network, not just online but also in person.

“I think a lot of young people (rely on their) online social networks – but we need to not give up on face-to-face (gathering) with friends,” Ng Ai Ling Services, deputy community director and chief advisor at Viriya, told CNBC Make It.

“Another thing I encourage young people to do is to maintain very disciplined, good sleep hygiene, because our brains really need rest,” Wu said. She recommends getting at least seven hours of sleep each night.

Finally, finding ways to regulate your emotions and stress is crucial. In addition to maintaining a healthy diet, exercise, and sleep, seeking professional help or relying on a support network when needed are ways to protect your mental health.

The struggle of loved ones

As dementia cases continue to rise, mental health experts expect the impact will extend beyond those directly affected.

“Nursers themselves are struggling to understand this disease — you lose someone to this disease, and the people you once were able to connect and communicate with are no longer the same people,” Wu said.

Wu explained that caregivers and loved ones may be at risk for mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and insomnia.

“Suddenly, someone you know well, that person forgets about you and (they) can’t behave the way they did before the illness…you experience this emotional distress,” she said.

Experts say it’s also important for people around people with dementia to look after their own physical and mental health, given how challenging the current situation is.