Dementia is a life-altering condition, not only for those diagnosed but also for their loved ones. While it's challenging to prevent entirely, there are measures you can take to lessen the likelihood of its onset.
Symptoms such as memory loss, behavioural shifts, and struggles with everyday tasks can profoundly impact individuals and their families. However, research indicates that nearly half of dementia cases could be prevented through lifestyle modifications - although unchangeable risk factors like age and genetics remain.
According to Alzheimer's. gov, adopting a healthier lifestyle could significantly lower your dementia risk, reports Surrey Live.
Here are three behavioural changes you can make today:.
1. Physical activity
Staying active is one of the best ways to maintain brain health. This doesn't necessarily mean hitting the gym; incorporating any form of physical activity into your daily routine can make a difference.
Even a brief walk is preferable to lounging on the sofa all day.
2. Stay mentally active
Keeping your brain engaged is another crucial step. Activities such as reading, playing board games, crafting, learning new skills or hobbies, working or volunteering, and maintaining social connections can help, says Alzheimer's.gov.
3. Sleep well
Adequate rest is vital. Ensuring you get six to eight hours of sleep each night is key to keeping your brain in good shape.
"Talk with your doctor if you are not getting enough sleep, sleeping poorly, or think you may have a sleep disorder," Alzheimer's. gov advises.
Addressing diet and taking steps to lower blood pressure are also among the recommended strategies for reducing dementia risk. Remarkably, recent research shows that lowering blood pressure can slash dementia risks by 15 per cent, as well as slow mental decline.
Researchers from the University of Texas spearheaded the groundbreaking clinical trial, canvassing over 34,000 Chinese individuals battling high blood pressure, focusing on the influence of lifestyle coaching coupled with medication on blood pressure regulation.
Participants were split into two groups; one received conventional care including blood pressure guidance and routine reviews, while the other was prescribed medication, lifestyle mentoring, and encouraged to limit alcohol and salt intake. The latter group observed notable improvement in blood pressure levels.
The study, featured in Nature Medicine, also revealed that those in the proactively managed group were less likely to develop dementia during the four-year window. Neurologist Prof Masud Husain of Oxford University, not involved in the study, said to The Mirror, "This is a landmark study with a very large sample size and a robust effect."
A health expert has issued a stark warning, saying: "It's a wake-up call to treat high blood pressure intensively, not just to protect the heart but also the brain. In my clinic, I recommend keeping blood pressure consistently below 140/80 mmHg."
As reported by the Alzheimer's Society, an estimated 982,000 individuals are presently living with dementia across the UK, a figure that is set to soar to about 1.4 million by 2040.
Story Saved
You can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.
