Dementia cases continue to increase in the United States, with people over 55 who face a 42% risk of developing the condition in their life.
A recent study led by Johns Hopkins predicted half a million cases of dementia in 2025 and one million per year by 2060.
However, that does not mean that people do not have impotent to reduce their risk, according to Dr. Joel Salinas, a behavioral neurologist and associated professor at the Nyu Grossman School of Medicine.
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Salinas joined Fox News Digital in an interview in the camera to discuss what is promoting the increase in cases of dementia and what behavioral changes could provide a certain degree of cognitive protection. (See the video at the top of the article).
One of the most important factors in the increase is demography, said Salinas, who is also co -founder and medical director of Isaac Health, a virtual memory clinic for health problems and brain memory.
“The Baby Boomer population, being one of the largest groups, is also the fastest aging group,” he told Fox News Digital. “As we get more and more Baby Boomers, not only more than 65 years, but in its 70 and 80 years, we will see more and more develop a certain degree of cognitive disability due to a lot of reasons.”
Age is in fact the biggest risk factor, he said.
“After 65 years, our risk begins to increase. By when we reach our 80s, that risk is approximately one in three,” he said. “And then, after 85, it begins to rise even higher, to almost one in two.”
Pandemia could also have played a role, said the neurologist.
“This is still being understood, but it seems that Covid-19 also affected blood vessels in the body and brain,” he said. “Therefore, people who already had a vulnerability to develop dementia could have had an acceleration or an earlier presentation.”
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Research has also shown that loneliness and social isolation can increase the risk of cognitive impairment.
“We know that people who do not have much social participation have a higher risk,” said Salinas.
“A lot is still being done to realize, you know, chicken or egg: is it that you are developing the disease and you are presenting symptoms of loneliness before others, or it is loneliness and social isolation that increases your risk? I think they are probably both.”
There is a genetic component of dementia, said the neurologist, but the good news is that it is rare.
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“If you think about risks and protection factors such as a rocker, these rare genetic mutations can overcome anything protective, but the good thing is that because they are rare, it is likely not to have those risks,” he said.
“Therefore, it probably has a genetic risk that can be overcome to some extent through protective factors.”
An important study published last year in Lancet found that almost half of dementia cases can potentially be prevented with lifestyle modifications.
There are many different factors to address, said Salinas, with adequate nutrition and exercise that exceeds the list.
Addressing auditory loss by using a hearing aid can also help keep dementia at bay, according to the neurologist, as well as being socially committed.
Keeping smoking and limiting alcohol consumption can also boost prevention, as well as quality sleep quality.
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Entering a specific sleep stage called “Slow wave” or “stage three” helps eliminate the accumulation of toxic proteins in the brain, Salinas said.
“If someone has problems with sleep, we send them to see a sleep specialist to do the appropriate tests,” he said. “The obstructive sleep apnea, which is a common sleep disorder, affects blood pressure, heart disease and brain health. And it is something treatable.”
With any healthy behavior, consistency is key.
“It’s about putting the chances in your favor that you are less likely to develop one of these conditions, or at least delay the appearance of symptoms,” said Salinas.
“It is never too late to assume them, but every time you start them, the more consistent it is with them, the greater the return you will have.”
Salinas cited studies that show that 92% of people with mild cognitive impairment are not diagnosed.
“That’s when we really want to intervene, but most of the time, people are being diagnosed when the condition is moderate to severe.”
While it may be difficult to distinguish between the regular effects of aging and the first signs of dementia, Salinas called some key differentiators.
“We have more difficulties with memory and thought as we age, but it should never be the point where you interfere with our daily functioning,” he said.
It is normal to experience “Blips” from time to time, he said, how to forget your keys, run into the name of a celebrity or enter a room and not remember why he entered.
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“But if you are seeing that that happens much more frequently over time and is getting worse, that could suggest that there is something neurodegenerative and not only normal or typical aging,” Salinas advised.
To help guarantee an above diagnosis and intervention, Salinas recommends talking with a medical care provider as soon as atypical symptoms are noticed.
“It is important to take them seriously, but not all doctors or medical suppliers are the same,” he warned. “A common story that we hear is that people’s symptoms are ruled out.”
In this case, Salinas suggests obtaining a second opinion, preferably from a neurology specialist.
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“It can be done more and more to control the symptoms in the early stages,” he said.
“And at least, if you end up having a condition that does not have a cure, you will have power with information about your health that will help you make better decisions and plan the future.”
