Dementia Risk factors

When addressing dementia risk factors, it is important to know that some risk factors can be changed and others can’t.

This is because most changes in the brain that cause dementia are permanent and worsen over time.

However thought and memory problems caused by the following conditions may improve when the condition is treated or addressed:

•Depression

•Medication side effects

•Excess use of alcohol

•Being overweight or obese

•Lack of physical activity

•Unhealthy diet.

•Developing diabetes

•Thyroid problems

•Vitamin deficiencies

•High blood pressure

•High cholesterol

•Atherosclerosis

•Smoking

•High Homocysteine levels

Theses dementia risk factors cannot be changed:

•Age

•Genetics

A family history of Down syndrome

•Mild cognitive impairment

•History of a stroke.

Certain risk factors are more likely to increase the risk for certain types of dementia. For example, the risk of vascular dementia is strongly correlated with risk factors for stroke.

Finally, the more dementia risk factors you have, the greater your chances of having dementia.