Risk factors are characteristics of the person, lifestyle, environment, and genetic background that contribute to the likelihood of getting a disease. Risk factors on their own are not causes of a disease. Having little or no exposure to known risk factors does not necessarily protect a person from developing the disease. Some risk factors are modifiable, (smoking, high blood pressure) while other risk factors are non-modifiable, (age, genetic makeup).
Risk factors associated with dementia include the following
Atherosclerosis: Plaque buildup in artery walls made of cholesterol, fat, calcium, and other substances in the blood can narrow the arteries and interfere with the flow of blood to the brain. This impairs the ability of the brain cells to function properly. It can ultimately lead to the death of those brain cells and their connections to other brain cells.
Cholesterol: A high level of LDL (bad) cholesterol appears to increase the risk of developing vascular dementia. This may be due, in part, to the association between atherosclerosis and high cholesterol.
Homocysteine: Recent studies suggest that a high level of homocysteine is a risk factor for a number of diseases like vascular dementia, alzheimer’s disease, cognitive impairment and stroke.
Psychological and Experiential Factors: Studies found that social isolation and not regularly participating in cognitively stimulating activities may be associated with an increased risk of developing dementia.
Genetic and Lifestyle Risk Factors for Dementia
Age: Risk of developing alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and several other dementias increases with age.
Genetics: Many forms of dementia have a genetic component which often runs in families. In addition, certain mutations in some specific genes have been identified as increasing risk for developing dementia.
Smoking: Smoking may significantly increase the risk of mental decline and dementia. People who smoke have a higher risk of atherosclerosis and other types of vascular disease which may be the underlying causes for the increased dementia risk.
Alcohol Use: Studies have found that drinking large amounts of alcohol seems to increase your risk of dementia. Other studies suggest that people who drink moderately have a lower risk of dementia than either those who drink heavily or those who don’t drink at all.
A healthy lifestyle can help reduce the risk of Dementias and alzheimer’s disease. It has been estimated that up to half the cases of Dementia in worldwide may be the result of seven key modifiable risk factors – diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, depression, cognitive inactivity or low education, and physical inactivity.