10 Ways You’re Unwittingly Increasing Your Dementia Risk
Even if you have no family history of dementia, there’s a good chance you’re unknowingly putting yourself at risk for developing the condition down the road. Interestingly, it’s more of a condition than a specific disease, the Alzheimer’s Association says. It refers to a collection of symptoms related with cognitive decline, including memory loss and impaired judgment. Alzheimer’s is the type of dementia you’re probably familiar with, but it’s also not the only type.
It’s not a natural part of the aging cycle, either. Dementia is caused by damage to the brain cells, which can happen in a number of different ways. More importantly, there are things you do today that may increase or decrease your risk of dementia later. Physical activity and living a generally healthy lifestyle are all part of the equation. But there are many other things people do on a daily basis that also skew the odds. Here are 10 ways you may be unwittingly increasing your dementia risk.
1. Taking certain drugs and medicines
Certain medications have been linked to an increased risk of dementia. | Scott Olson/Getty Images
Certain prescription and over-the-counter medications have been linked to increased dementia rates. Anticholinergic drugs, which many adults use for seasonal allergies or overactive bladder, for example, were singled out by a report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Benadryl and Tylenol PM users, beware.
2. Living near busy roads
This is more of an association than anything else, but it’s still interesting. | Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images
You don’t have to be stuck in traffic to have it slowly kill you. A recent study published in The Lancet found an increase in dementia risk for folks who live close to areas with heavy traffic. This could be because high levels of air pollution and noise have the potential to eat away at the brain’s connective tissues. Still, it’s an association, not necessarily a cause.
3. Being generally unhealthy
Those who are overweight are more likely to develop dementia. | iStock.com
This is pretty broad — and if you’re pretty broad yourself, that can mean an increased risk of neurodegenerative disease. People who have diabetes, high blood pressure, and who are obese all have higher rates of dementia. But the pendulum also swings the other way — some research from The Lancet shows people who are underweight can increase their risk by up to 34%. Again, it’s an association, so we’ll need more research.
4. Smoking
If you’re a smoker, consider this another reason to quit. | Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
Smoking won’t just lead to lung cancer and emphysema. It can also affect your brain in a very serious way. In a study found in Archives of Internal Medicine, out of over 21,000 people involved, smokers were found to have higher rates of both dementia and Alzheimer’s compared to non-smokers.
5. Heavy alcohol consumption
Too much booze could lead to a type of dementia. | George Marks/Getty Images
It’s not just smoking that could do you in. Alcohol consumption is also tied to declines in cognitive health. The Alzheimer’s Association explains a disorder called Korsakoff syndrome, which is a chronic lack of vitamin B-1 typically caused by excess drinking. This eventually leads to brain issues, including dementia. The good news is proper treatment can improve outcomes.
6. Being a couch potato
Not surprisingly, being overtly lazy is bad for your brain. | iStock.com/txking
Your mother probably told you video games and television can rot your brain. Few of us took this as a serious threat, but as it turns out, your mom may have been right (as she so often was). There is actual evidence that living like a sloth — or a couch potato, as we often say — can lead to serious problems. In fact, the more advanced your couch potato level, the higher your risk of dementia.
Findings from a new study from McMaster University in Ontario show couch potatoes are hurting their brains. Though some people are born with an elevated risk factor for dementia, inactivity can boost the risk for those with no genetic predisposition. Jennifer Heisz, assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology at McMaster University and co-author of the study, said in a press release, “The important message here is that being inactive may completely negate the protective effects of a healthy set of genes.” Simply put, physical inactivity will cause your brain tissues to degenerate, leading to an increased risk of dementia.
7. Depression
People with depression are more likely to deal with cognitive decline. | iStock.com
A lot of people struggle with depression, and if it’s not properly treated, it can lead to cognitive degeneration. The Journal of the Neurological Sciences explains it has to do with changes to the white matter, or physical structures in our brain, over time. So, if you’re dealing with depression, it’s best to get professional help. Treating your depression now will up your chances of staving off dementia in the future.
8. Vitamin D deficiency
Those who don’t get enough vitamin D are putting themselves at risk. | iStock.com
Researchers have confirmed a link between vitamin D deficiency and dementia. Individuals with severe deficiencies may actually double their risk, according to one study from the University of Exeter. An easy solution? Get outside and in the sun more, and bolster your diet with more fish and vitamin D-rich foods. Do keep in mind, though, that it’s still imperative to protect yourself from the sun’s damaging rays.
9. Not exercising your brain
Challenging yourself mentally may reduce your risk. | iStock.com
You can think of your brain as a muscle. If you don’t exercise it, it’ll atrophy. As strange as it sounds, there’s evidence that not using your brain can actually increase dementia risk. In fact, researchers from the University of Cambridge have discovered individuals with less education have higher rates of dementia than those with more schooling.
10. Heartburn medication
Your heartburn medication could be doing more harm than good. | iStock.com
Struggling with acid reflux? Here’s a heads up: Some heartburn medication is linked to dementia. One large study found in The JAMA Network said medicines with proton pump inhibitors, like Prilosec and Prevacid, are tied to increased degenerative disease risks. So, if you’re on one of these, you may want to discuss possible side effects the medication could have in the future.
Additional reporting by Julie Peirano
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