Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) has released the World Alzheimer Report 2014, which suggests how to lower the risk for dementia.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia which begins with a slight memory loss. The symptoms of the disease increases with age and in severe cases, an affected person may not be able to carry on with a conversation or respond to the weather.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that in 2013, around 5 million Americans were living with the disease and it may reach as high as 14 million by 2050.
ADI released [pdf] the report in a bid to raise awareness about the disease. The report also suggests that having control of several medical conditions may help reduce the risk of dementia. Experts also believe that a healthy lifestyle may diminish the risks of dementia.
"While age and genetics are part of the disease's risk factors, not smoking, eating more healthily, getting some exercise, and having a good education, coupled with challenging your brain to ensure it is kept active, can all play a part in minimising your chances of developing dementia. People who already have dementia, or signs of it, can also do these things, which may help to slow the progression of the disease," says Professor Graham Stokes, Global Director of Dementia Care, Bupa.
The report highlights that diabetes increases the risk of dementia by around 50 percent. People who want to reduce the chances of having dementia in later part of life should target factors such as obesity and inactiveness, which can lead to diabetes as well as hypertension.
People living in developed countries are focusing to improve their cardiovascular health. However, people in many low and middle income countries do not concentrate on cardiovascular health, which gives rise to heart diseases and potentially dementia.
The ADI report points out that quitting smoking after age 65 years may help people to control dementia. The report cites previous studies and suggests that dementia rate in non-smokers and in smokers under the age of 65 is similar. However, people who continue smoking after age 65 years are at higher risks of dementia.
The report also indicates that even though education does not lead to brain changes that cause dementia, but higher education can also lead to lowered risk of dementia at old age. The latest report reveals that if a person enters old age with healthier and better developed brains, then they are likely to live a longer life and at the same time reduce the risk of dementia.
ADI believes that dementia should be included on World Health Organization (WHO) and national non-communicable disease (NCD) planning.
