Nine Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Dementia Risk

Recent study names nine changes that could help reduce your risk of Dementia

A recent study published in the Lancet stated that one in three cases of Dementia could be prevented if more people looked after their brain health.  It outlined nine factors that contributed to a higher risk of developing Dementia. Interestingly, untreated hearing loss was a major factor.

By 2050, it is estimated that upwards of 131 million people could be living with dementia worldwide. Right now, it's estimated that there are 47 million people with the condition at the moment. It's a huge worry for global healthcare providers and policymakers. More than that, I think it has become an increasing worry for society in general. Untreated hearing loss and the social isolation it causes actually add up to the biggest percentage risk factors. However, it gives some relief to know that there may be things that you can do to reduce your risk, let's take a look at those nine things.

9 Things You Can Do!

These are the factors that count, mainly because they are what is called modifiable, meaning you can take action to change them. They add up to 35% of your risk, the other 65% is not thought to be modifiable. However, just taking action to resolve the following, will reduce your risk.

• Mid-life hearing loss - responsible for 9% of the risk
• Failing to complete secondary education - 8%
• Smoking - 5%
• Failing to seek early treatment for depression - 4%
• Physical inactivity - 3%
• Social isolation - 2%
• High blood pressure - 2%
• Obesity - 1%
• Type 2 diabetes - 1%

 

Hearing Loss & Social Isolation

We have understood for many years that there is a real risk of social isolation when someone has an untreated hearing loss. You can't hear the conversation properly and you get tired of sitting there just smiling and nodding at people while wondering what you are smiling and nodding at. So eventually you don't bother with it, you tell yourself you couldn't be bothered or you are too tired. But really, you are starting to get embarrassed and are worried that you are becoming the butt of the joke.

This leads to real social isolation, and as humans, thoroughly social animals, it is really destructive. It probably shouldn't surprise us that it is a factor in Dementia, because if you consider it, not talking to people, being active socially, laughing and enjoying life, is going to have a major effect on even the most stoic of us. Unfortunately, it appears that alongside untreated hearing loss, it has a major effect on cognitive decline.

Actively Understand Your Hearing

You need to actively understand your ability to hear, like other health matters as we age, you need to actively check and monitor it regularly. That means taking a hearing test to get a baseline understanding of your ability to hear and then monitoring it regularly. Depending on your baseline, that could be yearly, bi-yearly or perhaps every five years.

Get Yourself Tested Now

This is an important part of your health, don't put it on the long finger. Get yourself tested now, then go to your follow-ups as they occur. in this way, you can actively manage your health and get a better understanding of what you may need to do moving forward. Life is too important not to live it, so make sure you take steps to make it as enjoyable as you can.

Call us now on 01316291819 to book a hearing test, so that you have a baseline and understand your hearing.

 

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