Why has the incidence of new dementia cases decreased by 30%?

Euskaraz irakurri: 30% dementzia kasu berien intzidentzia rate in Zergatik jaitsi?

People live longer and the risk of dementia increases with age, but many studies confirm an obvious paradox: The incidence of Alzheimer’s and other similar disorders nevertheless declines after decades. “This is great news. It’s because our lifestyle is getting better and better,” he says. Gurutz LinazasoroNeurologist at the Gipuzkoa Polyclinic.

dementia It is a major cause of disability in older people and places an emotional and financial burden on families and caregivers. It can be caused by a variety of conditions, the most common being Alzheimer’s diseaseand today there is no effective treatment for its cure.

However, the new study found that the proportion of people over 65 with dementia 30% down In just 15 years in the United States. Not knowing exactly why, but everything points to something. higher education level your citizen. “Even today we know that 40% of the risk of dementia is due to environmental factors.factors within our power to change,” emphasizes Linazasoro.

In most cases, brain damage begins years before symptoms appear. Therefore, the neurologist believes this is important. maintaining good lifestyle habits to slow down the aging process and keep the brain in good shape.

But… How to age with a healthy brain? Here are some tips:

Factors that can prevent dementia

The neurologist points out that no matter how high a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease is, they can significantly reduce it if they improve their lifestyle, and it’s becoming increasingly clear. eat healthyhave intellectual and social activity with other people or get enough hours of sleepThey serve, among other things, to prevent problems with brain health.

Linazasoro also cardiovascular healthIt can reduce the risk of dementia in the coming years, especially in the areas of smoking, exercise and body mass index.

Many studies also include computing and new technologies They can be good allies to prevent memory loss: “Using the computer, cell phone, or surfing the Internet, for example, helps keep our brain active,” says the neurologist.

According to the doctor, “if we control these factors and take into account that the level of education has increased significantly, and add to all the beneficial effect that new technologies can provide … combining all this, which is very stimulating for the Brain, the risk of dementia will decrease,” he says.

Today, it is known that pathological changes in the brain occur years before the first symptoms are noticed. So a person highly educated brain, have a lot of cognitive reserve, have significant intellectual activity, have great physical activity, have no previous brain lesions, the degenerative process will take longer to pay the price. Aging healthily, therefore, also protect brain health.

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