We know that some diseases are preventable, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers. And we know that some lifestyle choices can reduce our risks of developoing these diseases, such as not smoking, a healthy diet and physical activity.
For dementia, since 2020, there are now two new risk factors, high LDL cholesterol and untreated vision loss, both of which are treatable. Other factors include traumatic brain injury and the environmental risk of poor air quality. While we may not be able to avoid a head injury, we have some choices when it comes to the quality of the air that we breathe. Staying indoors during periods of poor air quality and using filters (furnace and HEPA) are two ways to mitigate our exposure to poor air quality. Given the number of forest fires that Canada is experiencing the past few years, air quality is becoming an increasingly important concern for many.
Women have more risk factors, primarily due to social isolation as they age. And women outnumber men with dementia.
Behavioural risk factors over which an individual has control include smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, increased risks for cardiovascular disease and alcohol consumption. Also hypertension, diabetes and high LDL cholesterol are factors that increase the risk of dementia. Some treatable risk factors are diabetes, hearing loss and vision loss that are not addressed, such as with cataracts and macular degeneration. Poor vision and hearing factors can also lead to social isolation, another risk for dementia.
Addressing some of these behavioural and medical issues can help people lower their risk factors for dementia, which is reassuring given many of us are concerned about developing dementia. A new study, published in The Lancet in August 2024, by the Lancet Commission on Dementia, estimates that close to 50% of cases of dementia can be prevented or delayed. It all depends on improving modifiable risk factors.
To summarize, to decrease the risk of dementia:
- Exercise and maintain a healthy weight
- Eat well
- Address vision and hearing loss
- Be deliberate about being social, and avoid isolating
- Manage hypertension, cholesterol and diabetes
- Avoid head trauma
- Moderate poor air quality
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