Dementia is on the rise, with the number of cases expected to triple over the next 20 years, but there are things you can do to reduce the risk of being diagnosed with dementia in your life.
There are currently 55,000 diagnosed cases in Ireland and, due to a growing and ageing population, this figure is predicted to rise to 150,000 by 2050. We all likely know someone suffering from the disease and it is usually devastating for patients and their families.
But what causes dementia? And is there any way to avoid it? A new book by expert Mary Jordan argues that by understanding the causes and making lifestyle changes we can reduce the risk of developing dementia.
Jordan, who has worked for many years with the UK Alzheimer's Society, is the founder of Adapt Dementia, which is committed to helping people find better ways to live with Alzheimer's.
Her book, Avoiding Dementia, lays out the risk factors and ways to “avoid” the inevitable.
She explains how trauma, genetics, social isolation and diseases like diabetes are all linked.
Jordan says: “We still don't know the true 'cause' of dementia, and even if you take all the steps we've described to reduce your risk, you may still receive a frightening diagnosis a few years down the line.”
Below is her list of risk factors for dementia and her advice on how to avoid it, including getting enough sleep, eating oily fish, and maintaining a social life.
The most important risk factor is age. Dementia is primarily a disease of older people, but it does not necessarily occur as a result of aging.
The risk of developing dementia increases to 1 in 14 for those over 65 years old, and 1 in 6 for those over 80 years old. This means that 1 in 14 people over the age of 54 will have dementia.
But five in six people over age 80 don't. Why?
Personality and social factors are important: Jordan has seen some patients who say they are not particularly socially active.
Studies have shown that people with Alzheimer's disease have lower levels of social interaction.
Intelligence level does not appear to be an important factor, but formal education can help people with dementia maintain their attention better.
Illness and traumatic events can predispose someone to dementia. Type 2 diabetes is also a big risk factor. Head injuries, for example, can cause dementia even years after the accident. Repeated head injuries, such as those experienced by boxers, can lead to dementia later in life.
However, research has found that this isn't always the case and that it can occur through a combination of physical injury to the head and carrying certain genes.
An increased risk of vascular dementia, in which insufficient blood flow to the brain causes problems with brain function, may be linked to stroke.
People with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) who also have diabetes are three times more likely to develop diabetes.
Physical activity is important in reducing the risk of most diseases, as is maintaining good sleep habits and limiting alcohol intake.
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