In international study, reported by the Lancet suggest that one third of cases of dementia would be prevented by lifestyle changes long before the age it is expected to develop.
Nine key risk factors are mentioned: lack of education, hearing loss, smoking, physical inactivity, depression, social isolation, high blood pressure, obesity, type 2 diabetes.
The study predicts that by 2050, 131 million people could be living with dementia globally. At present it is estimated that 47 million people are living with the condition at present.
The risk factors that are thought to be acted against add up to 35% of the total factors leading to dementia. It is understood that the other 65% are beyond the individual’s control.
The report examines the benefits of building a "cognitive reserve", which means strengthening the brain's networks so it can continue to function in later life despite damage.
People who are continuously learning through their lives have less of a risk factor, while hearing loss is seen as a significant factor as it leads, untreated, to social isolation and depression. Most hearing loss can be dealt with by the use of hearing aids.
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