Dementia in the inheritance: is it possible to protect yourself?

If there were cases of dementia in the family and a person inherited a predisposition to it, this does not mean that we must do doomedly when the memory and the brain begin to refuse. Scientists again and again prove that a change in lifestyle can help even those who have “bad genetics” in this regard. The main thing is the willingness to

take care of your health.

We can change a lot in our lives – but, unfortunately, not our own genes. We all are born with a certain genetic heredity. However, this does not mean that we are helpless.

Take at least dementia: even if the family has cases of this cognitive disorder, we can avoid the same fate. “Having taken certain measures by changing the lifestyle, we can delay the occurrence or slow down the development of dementia,” said Dr. Andrew Badson, a neurology teacher in the Bostonsky Veteran Health Complex.

Age is to blame?

Dementia is a general term, the same as “heart disease”, and actually covers a number of cognitive problems: loss of memory, difficulties with solving problems and other violations in thinking. One of the most common causes of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia occurs when the cells of the brain are damaged and it is difficult to communicate with each other. This, in turn, can significantly affect the thinking, feelings and behavior of a person.

Researchers are still looking for an exhaustive answer to the question of what causes acquired dementia and who is most at risk. Of course, advanced age is a common factor, but if there was a case of dementia in family history, this indicates higher risks.

So what role do our genes play? For many years, doctors asked patients about relatives of the first degree: parents, brothers and sisters – to determine the family history of dementia. But now this list has expanded and includes aunt, uncle and cousins.

According to Dr. Badson, at the age of 65, the probability of developing senile dementia among people without a family history is about 3%, but the risk increases to 6-12% for those who have a genetic predisposition. Typically, early symptoms begin to appear at about the same age as a family member with dementia, but options are possible.

Symptoms of dementia

Symptoms of dementia can appear differently in different people. According to the Alzheimer association, generalized examples include repeating problems with:

short -term memory – the reproduction of the information just received,

planning and preparing familiar dishes,

the opportunity to quickly find a wallet,

memorizing plans (attending a doctor, meetings with other people).

Many symptoms begin to appear gradually, and over time the situation worsens. Noticing them in your own or loved ones, it is important to consult a doctor as soon as possible. Early diagnosis can help get the maximum effect of available treatment methods.

Take your life under control

Unfortunately, there is no medication for this disease. There is no 100% guaranteed way to protect yourself from its development. But we can reduce the risk, even in the presence of a genetic predisposition. Studies have shown that certain habits can help in this.

These include regular aerobics, maintaining a healthy diet and a significant restriction of alcohol consumption. “The same way of life that can protect the average person can also help people with an increased risk of dementia,” Dr. Badson explains.

A recent study, in which almost 200,000 people took part (average age – 64 years, without signs of senile dementia), considered the connection between the choice of a healthy lifestyle, family history and the risk of dementia development. Scientists have collected information about the lifestyle of participants, including physical exercises, diet, smoking and drinking alcohol.

Genetic risk was evaluated by information from medical records and family history

Each participant received a conventional assessment depending on the lifestyle and genetic profile. A higher score was correlated with lifestyle factors, and lower – with genetic factors.

The project lasted more than 10 years. When the average age of the participants was 74 years, the researchers found that people with a high genetic indicator – with dementia in family history – reduced the risk of its development if they also had a high indicator of a healthy lifestyle. This indicates that the right habits can help prevent dementia even with adverse heredity.

But the likelihood of developing this disease in people with low living standards and high genetic indicators was more than twice as higher than in people who led a healthy lifestyle and showed a low genetic indicator. It turns out, even if we do not have a genetic predisposition, we can aggravate the situation if we lead a sedentary lifestyle, adhere to an unhealthy diet, smoke and/or drink too much alcohol.

“This study is excellent news for people with dementia in the family,” says Dr. Badson. – Everything indicates that there are ways to take your life under control. “.

Better late than never

The sooner we begin to make changes to our lifestyle, the better. But the facts also indicate that it is never too late to start. In addition, there is no need to change everything at once, adds Dr. Badson: “It may take time to change your lifestyle, so start with one habit and concentrate on it, and when you are ready, add one more to it”.

Here are a few suggestions of the expert:

• Throw smoking.
• Visit the gym or at least start walking for several minutes every day to spend at least half an hour every day over time.
• Reduce the use of alcohol. At the events, switch to non -alcoholic drinks: a mineral water with lemon or non -alcoholic beer.
• Increase the consumption of whole grain products, vegetables and fruits, nuts, beans and fatty fish.
• Limit the consumption of treated meat and products prepared from saturated fats and simple sugars.

Agree, compliance with the recommendations of doctors is not the highest price for the opportunity to stay in their right mind and enjoy the age of maturity and wisdom.