Habits That Can Increase Your Dementia Risk

There are a few key risk factors that increase your chances of getting dementia and they include age and family history. While you can't change those factors, there are some habits you might do on a daily basis that might also increase your risk of dementia. These are just a few examples of habits that could potentially increase your risk.

Poor Diet

A healthy, well-balanced meal that contains both vegetables and meats are good for your overall health. The effects of a poor diet are mostly tied to heart health and your weight, but it does have an effect on your brain's health too. The brain needs healthy fats, lean proteins, vitamins, and minerals to stay healthy. It is possible that if your diet contains too many saturated fats, you are more likely to develop dementia.

Chronic Illness

There are some chronic illnesses that present a greater risk of developing dementia, such as untreated hypertension and diabetes. Diabetics have a greater chance of developing vascular dementia, more so than those without the disease. It can help reduce the risk if you manage your illness with your medications regularly and attending your doctor's appointments for checkups to ensure your health is still where it should be.

Drinking Too Much and Smoking

Drinking too much alcohol has more drawbacks than just hurting your liver, it can increase your risk of dementia. Drinking too much increases your risk for other health factors which could lead to dementia such as high blood pressure and stroke. The brain can atrophy or pickle which can cause early onset memory loss.

Smoking increases your chances of dementia because cigarettes contain thousands of chemical compounds and some of these are highly toxic. If you quit smoking before you get any memory problems, you will lessen your chance of contracting the illness.

Sedentary Lifestyle

When you are not active, you are putting yourself at risk for dementia. Exercise can help reduce your risk of falling due to stronger muscles and better muscle control, reduce your potential for any age-related disease and increase your life expectancy. When you exercise you pump more blood to your heart and increase your oxygen intake which benefits your brain. If you are able to walk for even half an hour a day, you will greatly reduce your risk of dementia.

Sleep Patterns

Your sleep patterns have an effect on your brain's health too. It is not a good idea to oversleep, nor is it good to not get enough sleep. While it isn't always easy to ensure you are getting enough sleep every day or getting up when you have had your required amount of sleep, making the effort to regulate your sleep pattern to what your doctor deems appropriate for you can help keep your brain healthy.