Dementia is an umbrella term for a group of symptoms caused by disorders affecting the brain. There are many forms, with the most common being Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.
The effects vary, but dementia generally affects memory, thinking, mood and behaviour. Once someone receives a diagnosis, there is no set progression or timeframe, and dementia affects everyone differently, however it is a progressive, degenerative, and currently terminal illness.
As diseases like Alzheimer’s progress, they damage more of the brain. This damage eventually affects areas of the brain that control the body, like breathing, swallowing, coordination and spatial awareness causing systems to go wrong or shut down, eventually leading to death.
How to reduce your risk
According to Dementia Australia 45% of all dementia cases can be prevented with regular health checks, and looking after your body and mind.
1. Health checks include monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol, weight and blood glucose levels.
2. Looking after your body includes being physically active, reducing alcohol consumption, quitting smoking and eating a heart-healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean or DASH diet.
3. Looking after your mind includes being socially connected, giving your mind a mix of interesting, challenging and fun things to do like a new hobby, and taking care of your mental health.
4. Read regularly as reading books, articles, and even puzzles stimulate neural connections.
5. Limit ultra-processed foods as they are linked to inflammation and cognitive decline.
6. Stay hydrated as even mild dehydration affects cognitive performance.
7. Prioritise good sleep as 7–9 hours helps clear brain waste linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
8. Protect your hearing as untreated hearing loss is a major modifiable risk factor.
