Preventing and treating dementia

Risk factors for dementia

A risk factor is something that increases your likelihood of developing a condition.

Some dementia risk factors are difficult or impossible to change. These include:

• age
• genes
• air pollution

Age

The older you are, the more likely you are to develop dementia. However, dementia is not a natural part of ageing.

Genes

Genes alone are not thought to cause dementia. However, certain genetic factors are involved with some of the less common types.

Dementia usually develops because of a mixture of genetic and environmental factors, such as smoking and a lack of regular exercise.

Air pollution

Air pollution may affect the brain and could increase the risk of dementia.

Other risk factors

Other risk factors include:

• hearing loss
• untreated depression
• loneliness or social isolation
• a lack of exercise

Reducing the risk of dementia

A healthy lifestyle can help prevent cardiovascular diseases, such as stroke and heart attacks, which are themselves risk factors for Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia (the two most common types of dementia).

What's good for your heart is also good for your brain. This means you can help reduce your risk of dementia by:

• eating a balanced diet
• keeping a healthy weight
• exercising regularly
• keeping alcohol within recommended limits
• stopping smoking
• keeping your blood pressure at a healthy level

Diet and dementia

A diet that's high in saturated fat, salt and sugar, and low in fibre, can increase your risk of:

• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol
• becoming overweight or obese
• type 2 diabetes

Eat a healthy, balanced diet following the Eatwell Guide.

Weight and dementia

Being overweight or obese can increase your blood pressure and the risk of type 2 diabetes, both of which are linked to a higher risk of Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.

Check if your weight is within the healthy range using the healthy weight calculator.

If you are overweight or living with obesity, even losing five to 10 per cent of the excess weight can help reduce your risk of dementia.

Exercise and dementia

A lack of regular physical activity can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease, becoming overweight or obese, and type 2 diabetes, which are all linked to a higher risk of dementia.

Older adults who do not exercise are also more likely to have problems with memory or thinking (known as cognitive ability).

Follow the recommended guidelines of doing at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, such as brisk walking, cycling or dancing.

You should also do strengthening exercises at least twice a week, such as gardening or yoga.

It's also important to sit less, so try to get up and move around regularly. For example, take the stairs, walk up escalators, and make phone calls while standing up.

Alcohol and dementia

Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol increases your risk of stroke, heart disease and some cancers, as well as damaging your nervous system, including your brain.

Stick to the recommended limit of drinking no more than 14 units of alcohol a week for both men and women.

If you regularly drink as much as 14 units in a week, you should spread your drinking over three or more days and have several alcohol-free days each week.

Smoking and dementia

Smoking causes your arteries to become narrower, which can raise your blood pressure. It also increases your risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as several types of cancer.

If you smoke, try to quit.

Stop Smoking NI offers a range of information and advice if you want to quit smoking, including information on local cessation services.

You can also ask your GP or local pharmacy for help.

Depression and dementia

Having untreated depression increases your risk of developing dementia. However, depression can happen as part of the overall symptoms of dementia itself.

Low mood, anxiety or depression can all affect your ability to be socially active and engage in mentally stimulating activities.

If you're concerned that you, a relative, or a friend may be depressed, talk to a GP.

Treatments for dementia

Most of the medicines available are used to treat Alzheimer's disease as this is the most common form of dementia. They can help to temporarily reduce symptoms.

There are also medicines to treat related conditions and help manage some of the symptoms of dementia that may cause distress.

For further information, go to;

• Treatments for dementia

Dementia research

There is no cure for dementia and because it is caused by different diseases, it is unlikely that there will be a single cure for dementia.

However, huge strides have been made in understanding how different diseases affect the brain.

Research is aimed at finding cures for dementia-causing diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies.