Today, there is an estimated 47 million people who are afflicted with Dementia. This number is expected to grow tremendously in the coming years with scientists projecting that by 2050 there will be 131 million people who suffer from the condition. Due to the serious nature of the sickness, as well as the expected increase in the number of patients diagnosed with Dementia, a group of researchers conducted a study to identify potential risk factors attributed to the ailment.
Lifestyle Factors linked with Dementia
The research listed nine factors that are contributory to the development of dementia. These include loss of hearing during middle age, failure to complete secondary education, Type 2 Diabetes, failing to seek early treatment to Depression, Obesity, smoking, social isolation, physical inactivity, High Blood Pressure. These risk factors were described as modifiable, meaning that they can be acted upon by an individual. All of these risks put together account for 35% chance of developing dementia. That is a 35% chance that can be minimised via lifestyle changes.
Sadly, the remaining risk factors comprising the remaining 65% are beyond the control of an individual.
Gill Livingston, a Professor from University College London and the lead researcher stated that despite Dementia being diagnosed later in life, the changes that the brain undergoes leading to the condition begins years earlier. Acting as soon as possible, tremendously improves the lives of people living with the disease as well as their families.
The study took into account the work of 24 experts from around the world. They concluded that lifestyle factors can greatly affect the chances of an individual developing Dementia. The researchers are recommending what they term as creating a “cognitive reserve” which entails enhancing neural networks via changes in a person’s lifestyle. This creates a buffer should an individual begin to experience a degeneration of cognitive function brought about by an eventual onset of the condition.
Individuals who take steps to mitigate or eliminate the lifestyle risk factors identified by the study are expected to be better equipped to deal with dementia if it does set in than individuals who do not.
Regenerative Treatment and Dementia
While there is no established cure for the disease, Dementia’s progress can be slowed by Regenerative treatments. Verita Neuro offers leading-edge Regenerative Treatments for a wide variety of illnesses including Dementia where patients are provided with a customised selection of treatments to suit the specific conditions. Treatments include Stem Cell Therapy, Acupuncture, Physiotherapy, and Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber Treatment and much more.
If you want to learn about potential treatments, contact us and one of our Patient Representatives will call you to answer any questions you may have.
H/T: BBC