Although it is normal to forget things a little as we age, sometimes we all have a fear in our hearts that this forgetfulness will turn into a serious condition, right? Especially when an elderly person like our mother, father, grandmother, or grandfather starts to forget things, we have the suspicion, "Is this the beginning of dementia?" This is a very sensitive topic. So today, let's talk about what dementia is, what are the newly discovered risk factors that may affect it, and whether we should be afraid of it.
What is Dementia simply?
Many people think that dementia is just about memory loss. But it's a little more complicated than that. Dementia is a progressive decline in brain functions such as memory, thinking, problem-solving, and language, leading to an inability to perform daily tasks. It's not a single disease, but a collection of symptoms. The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer's disease .
There is currently no cure for dementia, so doctors and scientists are constantly researching ways to prevent the disease. The more we know about risk factors, the more likely we are to protect ourselves from them and prevent the disease.
Are these things certain causes of dementia?
This is the most important thing. Many of the things we talk about in this article are not yet 100% proven to be "direct causes" of dementia. These are "associations." That is, the risk of developing dementia is higher among people with these health problems.
Think about it this way. There are more people carrying umbrellas on rainy days. Does that mean it rains because they carried umbrellas? There is just a connection between the two. That is what these research results are like. Don't panic after seeing these and say, "Oh, I have this disease too, I will get dementia too." This information is important to guide future research and to help us maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Okay, so let's look at the main factors that research conducted in 2023 found to increase the risk of dementia. Let's break them down into several categories and discuss them.
The relationship between lifestyle and non-communicable diseases
Our daily lifestyle and some of the non-communicable diseases we have directly affect brain health.
- Diabetes (Type 2 Diabetes): People who develop diabetes at a young age are at higher risk of developing dementia later in life. Poor control of blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels in the brain.
- Hypertension and Cholesterol: High blood pressure and unstable cholesterol levels can damage the delicate blood vessels in the brain, paving the way for dementia over time.
- Obesity: Research has shown that the brains of people with obesity show some of the same changes as those seen in the brains of Alzheimer's patients.
- Excessive alcohol consumption: Excessive alcohol consumption over a long period of time directly damages brain cells. It is a major risk factor for dementia.
How important is sleep and mental health?
Good sleep and good mental health are two essential things for a healthy brain.
- Sleep Apnea: This condition, in which breathing stops momentarily during sleep, reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the brain. In the long term, this can accelerate brain aging and increase the risk of dementia.
- Sleeping Pills: There is some evidence that long-term use of some sleeping pills may increase the risk of dementia. It is important to discuss this with your doctor before making any decisions.
- Bad dreams and restless sleep: It is suspected that conditions such as frequent nightmares and restless legs syndrome may be an early sign or risk factor for dementia.
- Depression: Some studies show that depression, especially in people under the age of 60, increases the risk of dementia by about three times.
Other body problems and dementia risk
Sometimes, problems that we don't notice in other parts of the body can also be related to brain health. Let's look at some of these issues in the table below.
| Risk factor | Link to dementia (as suspected) |
|---|---|
| Chronic Constipation | It is suspected that there is a link between the health of the digestive system and brain function (Gut-Brain Axis), and that adverse changes in the body caused by constipation affect the brain. |
| Gastritis Medication (Acid Reflux Drugs) | A link has been shown between long-term use of some gastritis medications (PPIs) and the risk of dementia, but this is still in the research stage. |
| Hearing and vision impairment | Hearing and vision decline, which reduces the stimulation the brain receives. It also increases social isolation. Both of these factors increase the risk of dementia. |
| Loss of smell | A loss of the sense of smell may be a sign of early changes in the brain's nervous system. |
| Poor bone health | Research has also found a link between low bone density (osteoporosis) and the risk of dementia. |
Environment and other factors
Things around us can also affect our brain.
- Air Pollution: There is evidence that fine particles in polluted air enter the body and cause inflammation in the brain, increasing the risk of dementia.
- Viral infections: There is evidence that even common viral infections, such as the flu, may be associated with an increased risk of brain disease.
- Toxins and metals in food: There is also talk about metals such as aluminum and zinc and other toxins that may be present in food, but these are still controversial. If you suspect that a food is poisonous, you can contact the National Poison Information Center at the Colombo National Hospital for accurate advice.
Take-Home Message
- Dementia is a very complex condition. It is not a disease that develops due to a single cause. What is mentioned here is the "associations" that are suspected of increasing the risk, rather than proven causes.
- Don't panic if you or someone you love has any of the symptoms or risk factors listed in this article. It doesn't mean you will develop dementia.
- The most important thing is to take care of your overall health. Keep diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol under control.
- Maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, and reduce stress.
- Check your hearing and vision regularly. Wear glasses or hearing aids if necessary.
- Most importantly: If you have any concerns about your memory or a change in the behavior of someone in your family, be sure to talk to your family doctor about it. He or she can provide the best advice and guidance.
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