6 Risk factors for dementia

Around 40 percent of adults in this country are afraid of developing dementia, women even more than men. But many are unaware of the risk factors, according to a British survey. We have compiled the most important ones:

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via Sabrina
04/11/2019, 12:07
Die Angst vor dem Gedächtnisverlust ist groß. Mit einem gesunden Lebensstil können Sie einer Demenz jedoch vorbeugen.© istock
The fear of memory loss is great. However, you can prevent dementia with a healthy lifestyle.

1 Perceived loneliness: a cause of illness

People over 50 who feel lonely have a 40 percent higher risk of developing dementia. This was confirmed in a study by the University of Florida. Prevention is possible with ginkgo extract, which promotes blood circulation.

2. diabetes: women particularly affected

Chronically high blood sugar levels are associated with a deterioration in cognitive performance. Women with type 2 diabetes have a 2.3-fold and men a 1.7-fold increased risk of developing vascular dementia.

3. blood pressure: the higher, the worse

What many people don't know: even with normal blood pressure, middle-aged people have an increased risk of dementia - the risk increases even more above 150 mmHg. This was the result of a British study.

4. depression: similar symptoms

Depression is a possible early symptom of Alzheimer's disease. Both can lead to structural changes in the brain. Due to similar symptoms, depression sometimes also masquerades as dementia.

5 Hearing loss: increased risk

Hearing loss can also be to blame for the development of dementia and accelerate it - by a factor of 1.5, as British researchers found out. The exact link is still unclear.

6. alcohol: to blame for early dementia

A French study has shown that people who regularly drink too much alcohol increase their risk of developing dementia threefold. Too much alcohol also increases the risk of early dementia (before 65).

Early detection: first symptoms show in the eyes

In future, it may be possible to diagnose early-stage Alzheimer's using an eye test. Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine have discovered that patients who already have the plaques typical of Alzheimer's in the brain also have a significantly thinner retina. In addition, doctors identified poorer blood flow to the eyes. Both could be detected with a standard examination of the retina by an ophthalmologist.

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