4 Simple Preventive Steps To Lower The Risk Of Developing Dementia

Many people have fears of acquiring dementia, which is a symptom that is linked with the decline in memory or other mental skills. The Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia.

According to National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, about 5 million Americans with age 65 and above may have Alzheimer's Disease. This number is expected to double for every 5-year interval beyond age 65. The risk factor in developing dementia is the age. With this, the number of people who have dementia could double in the next 40 years. This means if they are 40 million today, they would be over 88 million in 2050.

Any form of dementia could be devastating for those who have it and for their families. Other risk factors for acquiring dementia are alcohol use, mental illness, genetics, down syndrome, hypertension, smoking, atherosclerosis and diabetes. Many organizations such as the National Academy of Sciences and Alzheimer's Disease International have researched about the diagnosis and preventions of dementia. Findings have been discovered and many people are considering them to prevent this symptom. On the other hand, there are more simple ways on how to prevent this debilitating disorder. The NJ True Jersey shared the following 4 no-brainers to prevent dementia:

Do not smoke

One of the risk factors for developing dementia is smoking. There are about 45 percent higher chances of acquiring dementia if you smoke compared to the non-smoker. Experts said that there is a decline in smoking in America. This could lower the rate of getting Alzheimer's disease.

Control your blood pressure

Experts said that one of the biggest contributors to dementia is high blood pressure or also known as hypertension. Dr. Walter Koroshetz, the director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders explained that people need to think about how they can decrease their chances of developing dementia in later life. He further said that with what they now know, controlling hypertension is at the top of the list. A study indicates that to fend off the cognitive decline, you have to take care of your heart. This means you must observe the right cholesterol level and your blood pressure.

Be on guard against diabetes

Neurologists referred the Alzheimer's disease as Type 3 diabetes. This is because diabetes affects the body's ability to use blood sugar, which is the main source of fuel for the brain. It is reported that there are over 29 million Americans who have diabetes and about 1.4 million new cases are diagnosed every year. In a study, those who have diabetes have 60 percent greater risk of developing any form of dementia.

Spend time to exercise

Exercising could enhance your cognitive skills. Many studies showed that those who stay physically active have multiple brain benefits.