SAEDNEWS: Certain factors and conditions can increase the risk of dementia, and changing your lifestyle can help prevent it.
According to SAEDNEWS, aging and dementia are two natural phenomena that significantly impact individuals' quality of life. Aging is a biological process that brings about physiological and cognitive changes over time. These changes can affect a person's physical, mental, and social abilities, leading to reduced efficiency and overall health.
Dementia is a collective term for a set of neurological disorders that progressively impair cognitive function. These disorders can cause severe declines in memory, thinking abilities, judgment, and other cognitive skills. Individuals with dementia may struggle with remembering information, solving problems, planning, and organizing.
Certain lifestyle conditions and behaviors can elevate the risk of developing dementia, including:
Lack of physical activity
Overweight
Stress
Uncontrolled diabetes
High blood pressure
Hearing loss
Smoking and alcohol consumption
Recent studies have shown that certain racial and ethnic groups, including African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, and Alaska Native adults, are more likely to have these risk factors.
A healthy lifestyle can positively influence brain health by reducing the risk of memory disorders and slowing the progression of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. Here are five lifestyle habits to maintain brain health:
1. Stay Physically Active
Physical activity is crucial for maintaining heart, body, and brain health. What benefits your body also benefits your mind. Regular physical activity can help prevent, delay, or manage chronic diseases like dementia. Experts recommend that adults engage in at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week (at least 20 minutes per day).
2. Prevent or Manage Diabetes
Uncontrolled diabetes can damage vital organs like the brain due to high blood sugar levels. The good news is that type 2 diabetes is preventable or delayable. It's essential to know how to manage your blood sugar levels if you have diabetes.
3. Manage Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can damage blood vessels and restrict blood flow to the brain, increasing the risk of stroke. Maintaining a healthy weight and taking prescribed blood pressure medications can help manage blood pressure.
4. Address Hearing Loss Promptly
Hearing loss is a significant risk factor for dementia. Researchers believe that hearing loss may impair memory. Treating hearing loss (using hearing aids) may reduce the risk of dementia. If you have hearing loss or are concerned about it, consult a hearing specialist for prevention, treatment, or management.
5. Limit Alcohol and Tobacco Use
Excessive alcohol consumption over time can lead to high blood pressure or brain damage, both of which increase the risk of dementia. Smoking also raises the risk of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. To reduce the risk of dementia, quit smoking. Quitting smoking also reduces other dementia risks, such as stroke, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure.
By adopting these lifestyle habits, you can help maintain brain health and reduce the risk of dementia.
