Written by Kathy Feng
Dementia is a condition that involves the decline of an individual’s mental ability, which eventually interferes with daily life. Symptoms of dementia include memory loss, impaired communication, decline in visual perception, and impaired visual attention. The most common forms of dementia are Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia [1]. Since dementia is a disorder that grows more prevalent with age, seniors are most affected by this condition. The cause of dementia is a complex interaction between hereditary factors and environmental factors. Research has shown that hereditary factors in particular play a large role in this disease.
When examined genetically, Alzheimer’s, which accounts for around 70% of all dementia conditions, is composed of specific genes that can influence whether an individual is likely to obtain this disease [2]. Specifically, there are risk genes and deterministic genes. Risk genes increase a person’s likelihood of obtaining the disease, whereas deterministic genes directly contribute to the disease. Some of the deterministic genes discovered for Alzheimer’s include: amyloid precursor protein, presenilin-1, and presenilin-2 [3].
Although age and genetics are factors that cannot be changed, there are lifestyle choices that can certainly help reduce the risk of developing dementia. Since dementia is a condition regarding mental ability, the close connection between the heart and the brain is of great importance. This is where environmental factors play a role in contributing to the causes of dementia. The brain receives the bulk of its nutrients from the heart. Therefore, conditions of diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease may increase the chance of developing dementia.
One way to prevent dementia and have a healthier heart is to eat a healthier diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains [4]. Some research suggests that the Mediterranean diet, which consists of minute amounts of red meat and plenty of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and healthy fats, is great for providing healthy nutrients for the brain [1]. Exercise is especially important, since it helps reduce strain on the circulatory system, reduce cholesterol levels, and maintain a stable blood pressure.
It is important to consider the preventability of dementia because once the disease begins developing, there is no current treatment or cure that can stop it from rapidly progressing. The risk of developing dementia can be reduced through healthy aging of the brain. This can be accomplished through maintaining a healthy diet, exercise routine, and avoiding factors that can cause hypertension such as tobacco or alcohol.
References:
1. What is Dementia? Alzheimer’s Association. Web. 20 May 2017.
2.McPhearson, D. Dementia: A general Introduction. Memory Key. Web. 20 May 2017.
3.Risk Factors. Alzheimer’s Association. Web. 20 May 2017.
4.Can Dementia be prevented? NHS choices. Web. 20 May 2017.