Dementia cases are increasing worldwide. Here’s how you can protect your sanity today.
Half Point Images | moment | Getty Images
Thanks to advances in medicine, science, and technology, people are living longer and the world’s aging population is growing at an unprecedented rate, raising concerns about the growing number of people with dementia.
“As the world’s aging population continues to increase, the number of people with dementia will increase, with an estimated 139 million cases of dementia by 2050.” Latest report. In the year According to the World Health Organization, there will be more than 55 million people with dementia worldwide by 2023.
In the year By 2050, the number of people aged 65 and over will double to 2.1 billion. World Health Organization.
“Dementia is currently the seventh leading cause of death and one of the leading causes of disability and dependency in the elderly worldwide,” the World Health Organization said, adding that approximately 10 million new cases of dementia occur each year.
Although there is no cure for the disease, according to a study published by the World Health Organization in 2023, psychologists and researchers are working to prevent the disease.
While age is still the best-known risk factor for dementia, researchers have identified a set of 12 “modifiable risk factors,” according to The Lancet Commission 2020 Report:
- Less education
- blood pressure
- Hearing loss
- smoking
- Excessive obesity
- Depression
- Physical inactivity
- Diabetes
- Low social contact
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Traumatic brain injury
- air pollution
According to The Lancet, “12 modifiable risk factors together account for 40% of global dementia, which could theoretically be prevented or delayed.”
Although socio-economic status and education levels can affect the incidence of dementia, especially in early life, the study indicated that many other risks can be avoided.
“What we know now – what’s good for your heart is good for your brain, and that’s because there are many vascular risk factors for dementia,” said Timothy Singham, a clinical psychologist and assistant senior lecturer at the National University of Singapore. Make it CNBC.
So just as inactivity, eating unhealthy foods, not getting enough sleep, drinking too much alcohol and smoking can put a strain on your brain and lead to future impairment, these can also put your heart at risk, Singham said.
While a healthy body can reduce the risk of dementia, a healthy mind is no less important.
“We know [that] People with lifetime cumulative mental health symptoms, of course [have] Singham has an increased risk of developing dementia.
“If we see improvement in symptoms [to one’s mental health] Over the course of your life, this will eventually reduce your risk of developing dementia.
Here are five key “preventive factors,” or things people can do to prevent dementia.
- Regular exercise
- Healthy diet
- Building a healthy support network
- Having good sleep hygiene
- Find ways to manage stress and emotions
It can be easy to get wrapped up in the fast-paced daily life, so taking a break is important.
“If you don’t, your mental health suffers quickly — if you’re physically active, you can’t breathe, you can’t see much of nature, you’re stuck in the office or at home all day,” says Singham.
Additionally, building a healthy support network, not only online, but in person as well, is critical.
“I think a lot of young people [leaning on their] Online social networks – but we don’t have to give up our face-to-face contact. [meetups] Ng Ai Ling, deputy director and general counsel at Viria Community Services, told CNBC Make It.
“Another thing I encourage young people to do is to be very disciplined and have good sleep hygiene because our brains really need to rest,” Ng said. She recommends getting at least seven hours of sleep every night.
Finally, it is important to find ways to manage emotions and stress. Getting professional help when needed or leaning on your support network are ways to maintain your mental health in addition to maintaining a healthy diet, exercise, and sleep.
As cases of dementia continue to grow, mental health experts expect the impact to extend beyond those directly affected.
“The carer is struggling to understand the illness themselves – you lose someone to an illness and you lose someone you used to be able to relate to and communicate with. [with] It’s not the same anymore.”
Caregivers and their loved ones may experience mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and insomnia, Ng explained.
“Suddenly—someone you know, and that person is forgetting you, and [they are] He could not perform as [they did] “Before the pain … there’s this emotional stress that they go through,” she said.
Given the difficult situation, it is also important for people in the environment of mental illness to take care of their own mental and physical health, experts said.
Want to make extra money outside of your day job? Register CNBC’s new online course on how to earn passive income online Learn about common passive income streams, tips for getting started, and real-life success stories.
in addition, Sign up for CNBC Make It’s Newsletter Get tips and tricks for success in work, money and life.