A global health crisis looms on the horizon. More and more people are dealing with a devastating condition

Health

As the world’s population ages, more and more people are dealing with a devastating condition. Researchers have identified 12 risk factors that can be avoided.

Almost 10 million new cases of dementia occur each year. Photo: pexels.com

Dementia is a condition that can be caused by a number of diseases that gradually destroy nerve cells and damage the brain, leading to a decline in cognitive functions, according to the World Health Organization.

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

“Dementia is currently the seventh leading cause of death and one of the leading causes of disability and dependency among older people worldwide,” according to the WHO, with nearly 10 million new cases of dementia each year.

Although there is no cure for this condition, psychologists and researchers are working to prevent its occurrence.

The dementia crisis: How to protect our brains and fight cognitive decline?

Age is still the strongest risk factor for dementia. But the researchers discovered a set of 12 “potentially modifiable risk factors,” according to CNBC.

Among the most important risk factors are lack of education, high blood pressure, hearing impairment, smoking, obesity, depression, lack of exercise, diabetes, social isolation, excessive alcohol consumption, traumatic brain injury and air pollution.

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If socio-economic status and level of education can have an impact on the onset of dementia, particularly early in life, many other risks can be avoided, according to the study.

“We know that what’s good for your heart is good for your brain,” clinical psychologist Timothy Singham told CNBC.

So, lack of physical exercise, consumption of unhealthy foodslack of sleep, excessive alcohol consumption, as well as smoking put stress on the brain and put it at risk of developing future impairments, just as they pose a risk to the heart, Singham said.

12 Major Risks for Dementia: What You Can Do to Avoid Them

Here are five key “protective factors,” or things people can do to help prevent dementia: regular physical activity, eating healthy, building a healthy support network, getting good sleep, and finding ways to manage stress and the emotions.

“Your mental health suffers very quickly if you’re not physically active, you don’t get to breathe, you don’t get to see much nature, you’re cooped up in your office or at home all day,” Singham said.

As cases of dementia continue to rise, mental health professionals expect its impact to extend beyond those directly affected.

Given the difficult situation, it is important that people around a dementia patient also take care of their own mental and physical health, experts conclude.

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