Risk Factors for Dementia
Understanding your chances of Developing Dementia
Like most things in life, it is extremely helpful to have a rough idea of what your risk is for something so you can consciously decide how much time and energy to devote to mitigating that risk.
If I tell you there’s a 1 in a million risk of spraining your ankle while playing tennis, you may decide that the many health benefits of playing outweigh that risk and make a calculated decision to enjoy the sport. You may even decide to modify your play slightly to reduce your risk of injuries to which you are prone (wearing a brace, playing at 70% capacity instead of 99% capacity, etc). This gives you control and the ability to make decisions for yourself.
Your risk when it comes to developing cognitive impairment or dementia is no different. Everyone has a unique risk based on many factors. If you are 55 years old with no family history, an active lifestyle, healthy eating habits, no other medical conditions, and great sleep habits then your lifetime risk is much different than someone else who may be the same age but not share those other great lifestyle attributes that you have.
Let’s get specific. There are several very specific things that we know can significantly affect your risk of developing cognitive impairment – and the best part is, many of these are modifiable. Even for ones that are not modifiable, understanding your actual risk (rather than a generic overall risk for everyone) will help you decide how much time and energy it is worth to be proactive and prevent cognitive decline in your specific situation.
Page contents
- Genetics
- Environmental Risk Factors
- Age
- Medications
- Social Isolation
- Dementia Risk Factors: Habits that Increase the Chances of Dementia
- Dementia Self-Diagnosis: Early Dementia Risks Identification at Home
- Vascular Health
- High Blood Sugar
- Smoking
- Sedentary Lifestyle
- Nutrition
- Cognitive Engagement
- Toxins
- Sleep
- Oral Health
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Hearing Loss and Dementia
- How to Reduce Your Dementia Risk?
Genetics:
Genetic risk for developing any type of dementia (and Alzheimer’s in particular) is something that is not well understood by most people. Let’s break it down into a few important principles:
There is a very significant genetic risk for people who develop dementia at a very young age (ie in their 40s or 50s). This is often called “Early Onset Alzheimer’s Dementia”. If a family member of yours carries one of these genes then your risk is fairly high and it is important to be very proactive to try to delay the onset and also worth speaking to a genetic counsellor about genetic testing and other information. The good news is, this makes up less than 1% of all cases of Alzheimer’s dementia.
Most people with “Late Onset Alzheimer’s Dementia” will develop the condition in their 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s or beyond. The risk increases with age. This is the most common type of Alzheimer’s but guess what? There is NOT as strong of a genetic component as the rare form of Alzheimer’s mentioned above.
There is a gene that is associated with increased risk – it’s called APOE. Those with certain forms of this gene (APOE4) have an increased risk of developing dementia (anywhere from 2-10x the standard risk). The standard risk generally refers to people with the most common form of APOE (APOE3) and actual risk varies depending on gender, age, and even ethnicity.
There is even a ‘protective’ form of APOE (APOE2) that appears to reduce risk as well!
The challenge in many places is that you cannot get your APOE status checked through most clinics, physicians, and even specialists.
Well our goal is to put the power and control back in your hands. Through extensive efforts of our team we have been able to secure a simple and quick way for you to get genetic testing done from your home. And find out your APOE status (and other relevant genes). We believe that knowledge is power. And we believe that knowing your own genetic makeup and risk factors will help you continue to make excellent health decisions moving forward.
Environmental Risk Factors
While genetic risk factors are important to understand, they are not modifiable (at least not yet!). What we can modify are our lifestyle habits that are unknowingly increasing our risk of the most dreaded diseases for most adults.
Remember, knowledge is power. Understand your risk, take action now to reduce it, and ensure you have the best life ahead possible.
Age
Age is one of the most significant and unavoidable risk factors for dementia. Risk increases gradually as we age but is more notable in those over 65 and particularly those over 80 where risk starts to climb significantly. People in this age group are at risk of all types of dementia with Alzheimer’s being one of the most common subtypes.
Medications
Several common over-the-counter medications have been linked to increased risk of dementia and cognitive decline. Medications implicated in dementia risk vary from those as seemingly benign as those used for headaches to those used for severe pain. Medications can lead to dementia through many pathways including compromising normal brain functions and hindering the person’s ability to think clearly.
Dementia Risk Factors: Habits that Increase the Chances of Dementia
Dementia can occur at various periods in one’s life but the risk is significantly higher as we age. This is because age is a risk factor for dementia. Besides age, several lifestyle, medical and environmental factors contribute to dementia risk as well. Identifying these factors can significantly reduce the risk of dementia for most individuals. Here is a guide to help you understand about the various risk factors for dementia.
Dementia Self-Diagnosis: Early Dementia Risks Identification at Home
Making a list of your risk factors and then taking account of your present health situation will help you determine your prospective risk and identify the underlying reason for these symptoms.
The following are some methods for doing a self-assessment at home:
- Do you suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol?
- Is your hearing less clear than before?
- Do you frequently fail to complete everyday tasks?
- Are you becoming more and more irritated and angry every day?
- Does your head hurt often?
- Do you now find daily duties more difficult than before?
- Do you suffer from depression or anxiety regularly now?
Have a physical examination and discuss your concerns with your healthcare physician. Know that early diagnosis is the key to successful treatment!
How To Reduce Risk of Dementia: Can I Control Dementia?
If one finds themselves at risk of developing dementia, the common question asked is how to control these risk factors and what can be done to minimize the likelihood of dementia. It is important to know that dementia risk increases with age but is by no means a necessary part of aging and therefore not every older person gets dementia.
Also, it is crucial to understand that there are many risk factors for dementia and Alzhiemer’s that one can control:
Vascular Health
High blood pressure is particularly linked to the risk of developing the second most common type of dementia, vascular dementia. This type of dementia is often related to poor cardiac function and when the heart does not function properly, the oxygen flow to the brain is restricted which will thus compromise brian function.
People who develop hypertension in mid-life are at a greater risk of developing dementia as they reach older age.
High Blood Sugar
Next to high blood pressure are the high blood sugar levels that greatly increase the risk of dementia. Changes in blood sugar levels can have several effects on the brain including more atrophy (shrinkage) with time. Those with Type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop dementia at an earlier age and thus lifestyle choices earlier in life can make a big difference in your longterm cognitive health.
Smoking
Smokers are at a greater risk of compromising their heart and lungs thus inhibiting the oxygen and nutrient supply throughout the body. Smokers can significantly reduce their chances of developing dementia by reducing and eventually quitting smoking to allow their body the ability to better protect itself from cognitive decline (among many other potential risks).
Sedentary lifestyle
Sitting all day increases dementia risk, and this sedentary lifestyle can also increase risk of obesity and abnormal blood sugar levels, both are contributing factors to dementia. Everyone is advised to carry out 30 minutes of light activity daily to minimize the dementia risks and maintain optimal oxygen flow to the body.
Nutrition
The link between nutrition and dementia holds a great importance. The right nutritional components control the likelihood of dementia. People who are both malnourished or suffering from obesity are at a greater risk of developing dementia as well. On the other hand, nutritional changes, proper meal plans, and informed food choices can help delay the progression of cognitive decline and reduce the risk of dementia.
Cognitive Engagement
Cognitive engagement is when you indulge your mind in creative thinking, complex ideas and decision making. People at older ages are often less likely to get involved in cognitively stimulating activities hence their cognitive reserves start to decline. Studies have shown that cognitive engagement also reduces the chances of neuronal cell damage thus keeping the brain in optimal condition.
Toxins
Some chemical compounds and toxins occurring in our environment can lead to an increased risk of dementia. They act as a contributing factor towards dementia and other brain-related problems. These toxins constitute air pollution as well as certain environemnts such as a chemical factory or a nuclear industrial site. Also known as Neurotoxis, these chemicals are responsible for encouraging the decline in cognitive abilities.
Sleep
Sleep and cognition share a deep and complex relationship. To maximize the health of your brain, a few essential elements must be taken care of, and getting enough sleep is high on the list. Our brain regenerates, heals, and restores itself when we get good sleep. Moreover, timely and quality sleep is essential to offer our brains the best opportunity to eliminate toxins, reinforce memories, and keep working efficiently. Thus, over time, the brain’s capacity to function at its best will be impacted by a persistent compromise on sleep quality.
Oral Health
A poor oral health doesnt directly share a link with the onset of dementia but it is a cause of concern discovered in people with dementia. Dementia sufferers face problems in their everyday tasks hence maintaining proper hygiene and oral health are amongst the first ones to go. Also, some evidence suggests that a certain kind of gum disease periodontitis, which develops due to poor hygiene plays a role in causing dementia to some extent.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Traumatic brain injury shares a close link with dementia. It is a very significant risk factor for dementia. Sudden or repeated blows to the head during a fight, accident or fall can cause several parts of the brain to be permanently damaged. This can lead to dementia in the later stages of life as brain damage presents itself as cognitive decline.
Hearing Loss and Dementia
Cognitive decline and dementia are more likely to occur in those with mild hearing loss. Even though the precise relationship between hearing loss and cognitive decline is yet unknown, hearing loss can result in difficulties with daily activities, social isolation, and loss of independence.
How to Reduce Your Dementia Risk?
The key here is to identify early dementia risk factors and get them treated immediately. Know that the earlier the diagnosis, the better the chances of recovery and a successful treatment plan for dementia.
Secondly, an even better approach to fighting off dementia is by working proactively. Changing lifestyle behaviours, getting the right help, and being brave enough to identify your symptoms early on are some ways to prevent dementia altogether!
While we can never guarantee we won’t get any particular disease, including dementia, we do know that the right strategies and approaches can very significantly reduce everyone’s risk. With careful attention and effort we can all Prevent, Preserve, and Prosper together.
Prevent, Preserve, and Prosper.
Like most things in life, it is extremely helpful to have a rough idea of what your risk is for something so you can consciously decide how much time and energy to devote to mitigating that risk.
If I tell you there’s a 1 in a million risk of spraining your ankle while playing tennis, you may decide that the many health benefits of playing outweigh that risk and make a calculated decision to enjoy the sport. You may even decide to modify your play slightly to reduce your risk of injuries to which you are prone (wearing a brace, playing at 70% capacity instead of 99% capacity, etc). This gives you control and the ability to make decisions for yourself.
Your risk when it comes to developing cognitive impairment or dementia is no different. Everyone has a unique risk based on many factors. If you are 55 years old with no family history, an active lifestyle, healthy eating habits, no other medical conditions, and great sleep habits then your lifetime risk is much different than someone else who may be the same age but not share those other great lifestyle attributes that you have.
Let’s get specific. There are several very specific things that we know can significantly affect your risk of developing cognitive impairment – and the best part is, many of these are modifiable. Even for ones that are not modifiable, understanding your actual risk (rather than a generic overall risk for everyone) will help you decide how much time and energy it is worth to be proactive and prevent cognitive decline in your specific situation.
GENETICS:
Genetic risk for developing any type of dementia (and Alzheimer’s in particular) is something that is not well understood by most people. Let’s break it down into a few important principles:
There is a very significant genetic risk for people who develop dementia at a very young age (ie in their 40s or 50s). This is often called “Early Onset Alzheimer’s Dementia”. If a family member of yours carries one of these genes then your risk is fairly high and it is important to be very proactive to try to delay the onset and also worth speaking to a genetic counsellor about genetic testing and other information (link to Genetic Testing page here). The good news is, this makes up less than 1% of all cases of Alzheimer’s dementia.
Most people with “Late Onset Alzheimer’s Dementia” will develop the condition in their 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s or beyond. The risk increases with age. This is the most common type of Alzheimer’s but guess what? There is NOT as strong of a genetic component as the rare form of Alzheimer’s mentioned above.
There is a gene that is associated with increased risk – it’s called APOE. Those with certain forms of this gene (APOE4) have an increased risk of developing dementia (anywhere from 2-10x the standard risk). The standard risk generally refers to people with the most common form of APOE (APOE3) and actual risk varies depending on gender, age, and even ethnicity.
There is even a ‘protective’ form of APOE (APOE2) that appears to reduce risk as well!
The challenge in many places is that you cannot get your APOE status checked through most clinics, physicians, and even specialists.
Well our goal is to put the power and control back in your hands. Through extensive efforts of our team we have been able to secure a simple and quick way for you to get genetic testing done from your home. And find out your APOE status (and other relevant genes). We believe that knowledge is power. And we believe that knowing your own genetic makeup and risk factors will help you continue to make excellent health decisions moving forward.
Click here for more info on Genetic Testing (link here).
ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS:
While genetic risk factors are important to understand, they are not modifiable (at least not yet!). What we can modify are our lifestyle habits that are unknowingly increasing our risk of the most dreaded diseases for most adults.
Remember, knowledge is power. Understand your risk, take action now to reduce it, and ensure you have the best life ahead possible.
Prevent, Preserve, and Prosper.
Social Isolation
Lack of social gatherings and social activity are yet another significant risk factor for dementia. People who spend more time alone and have limited physical or mental activity are at a greater risk of developing dementia. Since social inactivity can often lead to isolation, depression, negative thinking and loss of a sense of purpose, cognitive decline and dementia can occur in these individuals at a much faster rate.