Preventing Dementia, Things You Can Do

Dementia cannot be fully prevented, and there is no exact known cause for dementia in the first place. However, there are ways to help protect yourself now against the likelihood of dementia, particularly if you are at higher risk of dementia in the first place. Here are ways you can protect yourself against dementia.

Keeping a healthy weight can help you prevent getting diabetes, and if you don’t get diabetes, you have a lesser chance of getting dementia. Dementia is linked to diabetes, as well as high cholesterol, so keeping your weight in check by keeping a good diet can lessen your chances of dementia greatly.

If you smoke, stop. Smokers are most likely to have high blood pressure and heart disease, which are linked to dementia. Even if you have smoked for years, if you quit smoking today you lessen your chances of heart attack, stroke, heart disease, and high blood pressure, which are all linked to dementia. Smoking hardens your arteries and restricts oxygen from your blood, making your risk of heart disease and stroke that much more of a reality- and making dementia that much more likely as well (americanheart.org).

Keep your brain in tip-top shape by doing things to challenge the mind all the time. Crossword puzzles, word searches, doing math games or even learning a new hobby that keeps your brain engaged will keep your brain healthy. Just like exercise is great for the body, mind exercise keeps your mind going strong as well. Why do you think so many older individuals love playing Bingo so much? It’s not about winning all the time- it’s about keeping the mind in better shape against age-related dementia.

Also, to keep your brain healthier and happier, stay social. Support groups, church, and other activities that keep you social and engaged in conversation or focus can keep your chances of getting dementia in the first place lower- and if you already have dementia, can actually lower the symptoms! Staying social and involved is great for morale and your brain, so stay active and social in your community.

Sources:

http://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/tc/dementia-prevention

americanheart.org


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