New data from UK’s Alzheimer’s Research suggest that thousands of cases of dementia could be prevented if people took more steps to prevent it. Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders that affect behavior, thinking and memory. The most common of these is Alzheimer’s.
According to data from the Ministry of Health, in Brazil, about 1.2 million people live with some form of dementia and 100,000 new cases are diagnosed annually. Worldwide, the number reaches 50 million patients and could reach 74.7 million in 2030.
However, there are some steps to be taken to reduce the incidence of the disease in the population, according to experts from the Alzheimer Society of Canada.
Alzheimer’s is a degenerative disease caused by the death of brain cells that can appear decades before the first symptoms appear.PM Images/ Getty Images
***Photo-doctor-looking-tomography.jpgBecause it is a disease that tends to get worse over the years, early diagnosis is essential to delay the progression. Therefore, when presenting any symptoms of the disease, it is essential to consult a specialist. Andrew Brookes/Getty Images
***Photo-woman-with-hand-on-head.jpgAlthough the symptoms are more common in people over 70 years of age, it is not uncommon for them to manifest in young people around 30. In fact, when this “premature” manifestation occurs, the condition is called early Alzheimer’s.Westend61/ Getty Images
***Photo-elderly-with-hands-on-head.jpgIn the initial phase, a person with Alzheimer’s tends to have changes in memory and starts to forget simple things, such as: where he kept his keys, what he had for breakfast, someone’s name or even the season of the year.urbazon/ Getty Images
***Photo-person-walking-in-a-maze.jpgDisorientation, difficulty remembering the address where you live or the way home, difficulties in making simple decisions, such as planning what you are going to do or eat, for example, are also signs of the disease.OsakaWayne Studios/ Getty Images
***Photo-elderly-with-hands-on-head-2.jpgIn addition, loss of desire to perform routine tasks, change in behavior (making the person more nervous or aggressive), and repetitions are some of the most common symptoms.Kobus Louw/ Getty Images
***Photo-doctors-looking-tomography.jpgAccording to research carried out by the Alzheimer’s Drugs Discovery Foundation (ADDF), the presence of damaged proteins (Amyloid and Tau), vascular diseases, neuroinflammation, failure of neural and genetic energy (APOE) may be related to the onset of the disease.Rossella De Berti/ Getty Images
***Photo-hands-on-the-table-holding-medicine.jpgAlzheimer’s treatment is done with the use of medications to reduce the symptoms of the disease, in addition to being necessary to perform physical therapy and cognitive stimulation. The disease has no cure and care must be taken until the end of lifeTowfiqu Barbhuiya / EyeEm/ Getty Images
0
Scientists believe that by raising awareness of the risk factors that change as we age, people will be able to take steps to reduce their chances of developing dementia.
Check out the 12 steps to reduce your risk of dementia
- Get at least seven hours of sleep a night;
- Challenge your brain regularly;
- Take care of your mental well-being;
- Stay socially active;
- Take care of your hearing;
- Have a balanced diet;
- Exercise regularly;
- Reduce stress levels;
- Do not smoke;
- Do not abuse alcoholic beverages;
- Take care of your blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and blood pressure;
- Reduce your exposure to polluted air.
Scientists also warn that it is necessary to be aware of some risk factors that can trigger dementia. For example, hearing loss has been linked to five modifiable risk factors, which are social isolation, depression, obesity, physical inactivity and brain injury from falls.
Get news from metropolises on your Telegram and stay on top of everything! Just access the channel: https://t.me/metropolesurgente.
