Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of conditions caused by a decline in brain function. These conditions cause different symptoms, with common ones being memory loss, communication and language difficulties, and problems understanding people.
But what causes dementia, and is there a way of preventing it?
This blog outlines the different causes of dementia, possible risk factors, and ways of preventing and slowing down the progression of the disease.
Age and Dementia: Demystifying Memory Loss
Dementia can develop at any age. However, it is most common in people over the age of 65.
Some types of dementia, such as frontotemporal dementia, are more likely to develop in younger adults (between the ages of 45 and 65). When dementia develops in people under the age of 65, this is referred to as ‘young-onset dementia’ or early-onset dementia.
The Causes of Dementia
As there are so many different types of dementia, it cannot be narrowed down to one single cause. Every type of dementia has its own individual cause, starting in different parts of the brain. However, they are all related to damaged brain cells.
Some common causes of dementia include:
- The abnormal build-up of proteins in the brain
- Reduced blood flow to the brain
- Age-related changes to the brain
- Damage to the brain as a result of strokes or mini-strokes
If you suspect you or someone you know is experiencing memory loss or signs of dementia, a neurology appointment can help to confirm or rule out any conditions to get specialised treatment.
Dementech offers same-week appointments so you can get answers, fast. Book an appointment today.
Learn more about the causes of different types of dementia
Dementia Risk Factors
A risk factor refers to factors and circumstances that increase an individual’s risk of developing a disease. For dementia, there are a range of risk factors – some of which can be changed, and some can’t:
Risk Factors You Can’t Change:
Age:
Age is the biggest risk factor for developing dementia. This is because of a variety of reasons, such as age-related changes happening to the brain, damage to the brain that has developed over time, and the long-term impact of lifestyle factors.
Dementia most often develops in people over the age of 65, and the likelihood of developing dementia doubles every five years.
Gender:
Although dementia affects both men and women, women are more likely to develop the disease than men. According to Alzheimer’s Research UK, two in three people with dementia are women.
However, certain types of dementia are more prevalent in men than women, such as vascular dementia.
Ethnicity:
Research suggests that an individual’s ethnicity could also be a risk factor for dementia. For example, people with Black and South Asian heritage appear to be more at risk of developing dementia when compared to white people.
It is thought this could be because these ethnicities are more at risk of conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and strokes that can cause dementia.
Genetics:
While dementia is not typically an inherited disease, some types of dementia can be caused by genetic mutations. For example, some types of frontotemporal dementia, Huntington’s disease, and rarer types of Alzheimer’s disease.
Risk Factors You Can Change
Smoking
There is a correlation between smoking and the development of dementia. This could be because smoking can cause blockages in your arteries and disrupt blood flow to the brain. Reduced blood flow to the brain is a cause of some types of dementia.
Poor Diet
Eating a poor diet that is high in fats and sugar can increase the likelihood of developing conditions like heart disease, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular disease. All of these conditions are linked to the development of dementia.
Diabetes Control
If you do not control diabetes effectively, you are more likely to experience high blood sugar levels for longer periods of time. Hyperglycaemia can lead to damage to the blood vessels in your brain, which can increase the risk of developing dementia.
It is important to manage existing conditions like Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes properly to reduce the risk of developing dementia.
Hypertension and Heart Disease
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, and heart disease can cause damage to blood vessels throughout the body, including the brain. This can reduce blood flow to the brain and put you at a higher risk of developing dementia.
Lack of Exercise
Not doing exercise can put you at a higher risk of experiencing health problems like type 2 diabetes and heart disease, which can ultimately increase your risk of developing dementia.
Alcohol Consumption
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can cause damage to the brain and increase your risk of developing dementia. This includes frequently drinking more than the recommended units of alcohol every week.
Hearing Impairments
Hearing loss, deafness, and other hearing impairments can result in cognitive decline as you get older, if left untreated.
It is believed that this is because of a reduction in brain stimulation. Ultimately, cognitive decline increases your likelihood of dementia, so it is important to monitor your hearing and cognitive function over time.
Air Pollution
There is growing evidence that suggests air pollution is linked to the development of dementia. For example, some evidence shows that air pollution can cause the buildup of proteins in the brain and increase the risk of developing Lewy body dementia.
While further investigation is required to fully understand the link between air pollution and risk of dementia, early evidence suggests it may be an environmental risk.
Social Isolation
Individuals who are socially isolated are more at risk of developing dementia as they tend to do less physical activity and get less social stimulation.
Social isolation is closely linked with depression, which can also increase the risk factor for developing dementia.
Socioeconomic Factors
People from lower socioeconomic backgrounds may be at higher risk of dementia, as their circumstances mean they might have limited access to healthcare.
They might also experience lifestyle factors that increase the risk of dementia, such as being unable to exercise, unable to afford and eat a healthy diet, and an increased likelihood of depression.
Lack of Sleep
It is possible that a lack of sleep can be a risk factor for dementia, though further investigation is required to know for sure. For example, one study found that individuals in their 50s and 60s who get six hours of sleep or less were 30% more likely to be diagnosed with dementia.
How To Prevent or Slow Down Dementia: Tips & Advice
While there’s currently no guaranteed way to prevent dementia, strong evidence and guidelines from groups like the World Health Organisation (WHO) point to lifestyle and medical strategies that can lower risk or slow progression.
We have outlined some tips about how you can lower the risk of developing dementia below:
Keep Your Mind Active
Keeping your mind active and engaged can slow the progression of dementia and lower the risk of developing the disease.
Ideas for staying mentally stimulated include:
- Reading
- Playing board games
- Crafting
- Engaging in your hobbies
- Learning a new skill
- Working
- Volunteering
- Socialising
Engage With Friends and Family
Making sure you remain socially engaged with people is important in preventing social isolation, loneliness, and depression – all of which are risk factors of dementia.
Arrange social activities with friends and family, or make new friends by taking up social hobbies or joining local clubs or groups.
Exercise Regularly
Keeping physically active has many health benefits and reduces your risk of developing conditions like obesity, heart disease, strokes, and high blood pressure that are linked to dementia.
Adults should aim to get a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity every week.
Treat Hearing Loss and Impairments
Treating hearing loss early can prevent it from causing cognitive decline, which increases the risk of developing dementia, and difficulties interacting with others.
Protect your ears from loud noises by using earplugs in loud environments, or consult with an audiologist to get hearing aids if needed.
Implement a Dementia Prevention Diet
A healthy diet can be important for dementia prevention. Eating well can help you maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of developing health problems like high blood sugar, heart disease, and diabetes that can contribute to dementia.
Adults should eat a balanced diet that includes a mixture of:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Whole grains
- Lean meats
- Seafood
- Unsaturated fats
Control Existing Conditions
If you have preexisting conditions like high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, diabetes, and heart disease, it is important to effectively manage them to mitigate the risk of developing dementia.
Using medications and making positive lifestyle changes, such as exercising more and eating healthily, can help control these conditions.
Prevent Head Injuries
Head injuries are a risk factor for dementia, as dementia is caused by damage to the brain. Taking necessary precautions to prevent head injuries can therefore reduce the risk of developing the disease.
Precautions you might want to take include:
- Fall-proofing your home
- Wearing non-skid, supportive shoes to prevent falls
- Wearing seatbelts when travelling by vehicle
- Wearing helmets to protect you from concussion and brain injuries, when necessary
Reduce Alcohol Intake
Reducing the amount of alcohol you drink can minimise the risk of falls and the chance of worsening health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, strokes, memory loss, and mood disorders. These are all risk factors for dementia.
Stop Smoking
Quitting smoking and reducing tobacco use can have great health benefits and reduce your risk of heart attacks, strokes, lung disease, and, by extension, dementia.
Getting the help you need to live with dementia/memory loss conditions
At Dementech, we provide comprehensive, compassionate, personalised support plans for individuals with dementia. We want to enable people with dementia and other memory-loss conditions to lead happy, healthy lives for as long as possible.
From fast and efficient diagnosis and ruling out conditions, to offering dementia treatment advice and creating continuous support plans for patients and carers, our expert team are dedicated to helping you through every step of the way.
We use the latest, cutting-edge technology and diagnostic tools that allow us to offer same-week consultations, tests and scans, so you can skip the waiting list.
Our world-class neurology and psychiatry services include the diagnosis and treatment of a range of conditions, from anxiety, low mood, and depression to dementia and other memory-related conditions.
Contact our team today to find out more about how we can help or book an appointment.
