Do you know the best ways to cut down the risk of Alzheimer’s Dementia? Although getting older is the biggest risk factor for Alzheimer’s, evidence shows there are things you can do to help reduce your own risk. Most important of these is TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR GENERAL HEALTH. Mid-life is an important time to start taking care of your health. It’s important to see your Doctor if you’re worried about health problems such as hypertension, diabetes, depression, hearing loss, or not getting enough sleep. All of these might increase the risk of Alzheimer’s dementia.
Listed here are a few of the best ways to cut down the risk of Alzheimer’s Dementia.
1. Be physically active: Doing regular physical activity is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of dementia. It’s good for your heart, circulation, weight and mental wellbeing. Walking for 30 minutes daily is a great exercise for elders. Try to avoid sitting down for too long.
2. Eat healthy:A healthy, balanced diet may reduce your risk of alzheimer’s, dementia, as well as other conditions including cancer, type 2 diabetes, obesity, stroke and heart disease. Read about Anti-inflammatory diet. Eat a balance diet. Avoid 5 white “poisons – Maida, White rice, Sugar, Salt, Milk.
3. Don’t smoke: If you smoke, you’re putting yourself at much higher risk of developing dementia. You’re also increasing your risk of other conditions, including type 2 diabetes, stroke, and lung cancer.
4. Drink less: Drinking too much alcohol increases your risk of developing dementia. At most, you should aim to drink no more than once a week. If you regularly drink much more than this, you’re at risk of alcohol-related brain shrinkage.
5. Exercise your mind (Use it or lose it): Keeping your mind active is likely to reduce your risk of alzheimer’s. Regularly challenging yourself mentally seems to build up the brain’s ability to cope with disease. One way to think about it is ‘Use it or lose it’.
Find something you like doing that challenges your brain and do it regularly. It’s important to find something that you’ll keep up. For example:
- Learn music or musical instrument
- Learn a new language
- Play puzzles, crosswords or quizzes
- Play card games or board games
- Read challenging books or write (fiction or non-fiction).
Talking and communicating with other people may also help to reduce your risk of dementia. Make an effort to keep in touch with the people who are important to you, such as friends and family. Volunteering or joining a club or community group are also good ways to stay socially active.
Dr. Joshy E.V
Senior Neurologist, Brains Neuro Spine Hospital
8, Ideal Homes HBCS Layout, RR Nagar,
Bengaluru- 560098.
Ph:+91 9148080000
