Key Dementia Risk Factors To Be Aware Of
Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of symptoms associated with cognitive decline. It affects millions of people around the world each year, usually impacting cognitive abilities such as memory, judgment, movement, and social and communication skills.
Importance of learning dementia risk factors
By learning about key risk factors associated with dementia, you may be able to take preventative measures to reduce your likelihood of developing it. First, we’ll get familiar with a few of the most common types of dementia. Then we’ll discuss risk factors, strategies for reducing risk factors, and the potential benefits of early detection.
What is dementia and Alzheimer’s disease?
Dementia is a general term for cognitive impairment and decline often caused by certain medical conditions. Some of these include Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and Parkinson’s disease. Each type of dementia impacts the brain in a different way, causing symptoms like the loss of memory and reasoning skills, the inability to perform certain motor movements, and others.
Progression of dementia
Dementia is progressive and terminal, which means that symptoms typically become more severe over time and will eventually lead to death in most cases. As the condition progresses, people may have difficulty performing basic everyday tasks such as cooking, cleaning, dressing, and grooming. Eventually, they’ll need round-the-clock care. The difficulty and seriousness of dementia is why understanding and reducing risk factors can be so important.
Common types of dementia
There are several different types of dementia, each with somewhat different symptoms and risk factors. A few types to be aware of include:
- Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. It’s usually marked by memory loss, confusion, and disruptions in mood and behavior.
- Lewy body dementia. This type of dementia occurs because of a buildup of protein deposits in the brain, known as Lewy bodies. These deposits affect nerve cells in the brain, which in turn impact thinking, memory, and movement.
- Frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Often caused by a restriction in blood flow to the brain, FTD is a less common form of dementia. Since this condition impacts the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, diagnosed individuals may act inappropriately in social settings and have difficulty forming words, among other potential symptoms.
- Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD). PDD eventually occurs in around 80% of individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Movement challenges are usually one of the first symptoms of the decline in cognitive function in those with PDD, often accompanied by tremors or involuntary movements.
- Early-onset dementia. This type of dementia occurs before the age of 65. It can be caused by early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, problems with blood flow to the brain due to traumatic injury or a medical condition, or chronic overuse of alcohol. This type of dementia is less common.
- Mixed dementia. This term refers to a situation in which a person has multiple causes of dementia. It’s more common in individuals over 75, and symptoms may progress more quickly than in other types.
Key risk factors for dementia: Genetics, high blood pressure and more
Certain risk factors may increase a person’s likelihood of developing dementia. For risk factors that are not within a person’s control, such as age and genetics, being aware of them can empower you to seek medical support if you start to notice symptoms. For those that are within a person’s control, such as lifestyle, making positive changes may help reduce your risk of developing certain types of dementia. Some common dementia risk factors include the following.
Age
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), age is the strongest risk factor for dementia. The likelihood of developing dementia increases considerably after the age of 65, although it can develop in younger individuals in rare cases. Becoming familiar with early symptoms of different types of dementia can help you look out for them as you age so you can seek immediate evaluation and treatment if you notice any.
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Genetic predisposition and family history of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia
Your family history can influence your chances of being diagnosed with dementia, but how much depends on the type of dementia. For example, research suggests that having a first-degree relative with dementia increases your risk of developing Alzheimer’s. In contrast, most cases of Lewy body dementia are not inherited, as it’s rare that more than a single biological family member develops the disease. Again, learning about your family’s history with dementia if possible may help you be on the lookout for symptoms if they arise.
Lifestyle
Maintaining healthy habits can have a variety of potential benefits for your physical and mental well-being, and it may also reduce your risk of dementia.
According to the Alzheimer's Society, some lifestyle factors that may help reduce your risk of developing dementia include:
- Get regular exercise
- Quit smoking
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Eat nutrient-dense foods as often as possible
- Wear a helmet while biking etc. to reduce the risk of brain injuries
- Wear hearing protection when necessary to reduce the risk of hearing loss
- Seek treatment for mental health conditions like depression
- Engage socially
- Manage long-term health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure
Medical conditions and injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can be a risk factor for dementia—even years after the injury occurred. This is especially true for early-onset dementia. Repeated concussions can disrupt brain function in other ways too, potentially impacting memory, learning, coordination, and vision or hearing. Also, when blood flow to the brain is limited, it can damage the brain tissue, potentially leading to vascular dementia. That’s why a stroke, hemorrhage, or other incident that reduces the flow of blood to your brain can increase the risk of vascular dementia.
Preventing traumatic brain injuries
Taking safety precautions—including wearing the proper gear, such as helmets—when engaging in sports or dangerous activities can be important for preventing TBIs. To reduce your risk of strokes and, therefore, vascular dementia, you might engage in healthy habits like eating nutrient-dense foods often, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking.
High blood pressure and other cardiovascular health conditions
Cardiovascular risk factors include having high blood pressure or high cholesterol or being obese. Research suggests that all major cardiovascular diseases are associated with an increased risk of dementia. Cerebrovascular diseases can also increase your likelihood of vascular dementia, since they can impact blood flow to the brain. Talk to your doctor about long-term management strategies for chronic conditions and to get advice on healthy habits that may reduce your risk of dementia caused by cardiovascular health conditions.
The importance of early detection of dementia
Being aware of the early warning signs of dementia and your risk factors for developing dementia can help you seek medical treatment right away if you notice any. Early detection and intervention can have a few potential benefits for individuals with dementia.
Planning for the future and optimizing care
First, research suggests that it may help an individual sustain their cognitive capacity for longer, since their doctor may be able to recommend treatments and lifestyle changes to slow the disease’s progression. Early detection can also allow individuals and their families to take proactive steps to address challenges, plan for the future, and optimize care arrangements, which may ultimately promote better outcomes and greater well-being for all involved. It can also give a diagnosed individual more time to approach their condition with compassion and acceptance.
Understanding dementia risk factors and coping with health anxiety
The first recommended course of action if you’re concerned about your chances of developing dementia is to meet with a doctor. They can evaluate your risk factors and give you advice on healthy habits to reduce your risk. If you’re still experiencing anxiety related to your health, you might also find it helpful to meet with a therapist. They can offer you a safe space to process your feelings and help you learn healthy coping mechanisms for anxiety and difficult emotions.
Effectiveness of online mental health services
Since research suggests that online and in-person therapy can offer comparable outcomes in many cases, you can generally choose whichever format is most convenient for you. If you have a busy schedule or a lack of providers in your area, you might find it easier to attend therapy online. With a platform like BetterHelp, you can get matched with a licensed therapist who you can meet with via phone, video call, and/or in-app messaging from anywhere you have an internet connection.
Takeaway
Frequently asked questions
What is the number one trigger for dementia?
According to the CDC, the number one risk factor for dementia is age. Dementia is not a normal sign of aging, so age does not “trigger” dementia, but a person's risk of developing dementia increases significantly after age 65.
What are the 12 modifiable risk factors for dementia?
The 12 identified modifiable risk factors for dementia are as follows:
- Education
- Hypertension
- Obesity
- Hearing loss
- Traumatic brain injury
- Alcohol misuse
- Smoking
- Depression
- Lack of physical activity
- Social isolation
- Diabetes
- Air pollution
Who will be most at risk of developing dementia?
Factors that can increase dementia risk include the following:
- Age: Dementia risk increases as you age, with most dementia symptoms appearing after age 65. That said, some types of young-onset dementia can begin in middle age or earlier.
- Genetics: Some risk genes can increase a person’s chances of getting dementia. Specific genes have been linked to Alzheimer’s risk, and having a family member with Alzheimer’s or some other forms of dementia can influence the chances of getting the disease.
- Other health conditions: Any condition that damages or changes the brain can increase the risk of dementia, including severe head injury, frequent episodes of low blood sugar related to diabetes, vascular disease, Parkinson's disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Down syndrome, Huntington's disease, some cases of multiple sclerosis, and rare conditional like normal pressure hydrocephalus.
- Hearing loss: Hearing loss is associated with shrinkage in certain parts of the brain, which studies show can increase dementia risk.
- Social isolation: A study of nearly 14,000 adults over age 65 has found that those with social support were 46% less likely to develop dementia than those who were more isolated.
Who is at the greatest risk for dementia?
People who are at higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia may have more risk factors than those who do not have an increased risk, like advanced age, family history/genetics, smoking, and alcohol use. Other risk factors can include atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, diabetes, and mild cognitive impairment.
What is the main cause of dementia?
According to the Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer’s accounts for 60 to 80% os all cases, making it the number one cause of dementia. While most types of dementia cannot be cured, some treatments can help slow the progress or manage symptoms with more clinical trials underway.
What habits increase dementia risk?
Habits that affect brain health may be more likely to increase the risk of developing dementia symptoms. Some modifiable risk factors for dementia related to lifestyle habits include a lack of physical activity, uncontrolled diabetes, hearing loss, high blood pressure, and alcohol/tobacco use.
Can stress cause dementia?
Some researchers have determined that stress can contribute to symptoms of dementia, speculating that it may do so directly or by contributing to the development of other conditions that can lead to dementia, like depression and autoimmune diseases, or conditions that affect blood vessels and blood flow, like cardiovascular disorders and stroke. Other researchers have determined that anxiety, a condition that can be associated with stress, can triple the risk of developing dementia.
How to avoid dementia?
Dementia is a devastating condition that eventually impacts the brain's ability to function, leading to many complications, including loss of bladder control, visual hallucinations, and other symptoms that can depend on the specific disease process. However, it can be difficult to determine what causes this condition, so dementia prevention can be challenging. One way to try to prevent dementia or dementia-like symptoms, though, may be to focus on modifiable risk factors.
- Don’t smoke, or stop smoking if you do.
- Maintain a normal blood pressure or talk to your doctor about treating high blood pressure.
- If you are hard of hearing, use hearing aids.
- Avoid drinking too much alcohol.
- Eat nutrient-dense food that supports heart and brain health.
- Engage in cognitive training or mentally stimulating activities, such as solving crossword puzzles or reading, to improve or maintain cognitive reserve.
What is a social risk factor of dementia?
Recent studies have determined that social isolation is a strong risk factor for dementia. This research also determines that more than 70% of study participants aged 65 and older who were not socially isolated at their initial assessment had a working cell phone or computer and regularly texted or emailed others. Over the course of this research, older adults with access to this technology had a 31% lower risk of social isolation.
What is the age risk factor for dementia?
An important risk factor for dementia is age. While the level of mental decline seen in dementia is not typical of what is seen when a person ages, overall dementia risk increases after age 65.
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