I see one thing missing from your list: gum disease! The research was just starting to come out in 2018 that plaque affects the heart, and periodontal disease affects the brain. That's a simple, modifiable action. Take great care of your mouth!
My mother developed dementia in her 90s. (Mild in comparison to others I've heard or seen.) She passed away a year ago, just shy of 99. I've been obsessed with brain health because of her experience. Thank you for this. It's very helpful.
Lack of education as a factor really interests me, because I'm going to guess they don't mean vocational training or busy work, which comprises much of the education on offer. A good liberal arts education gives someone interests and the ability to read complex texts. That's the same education that's under attack as useless. Thanks as ever for a good Saturday read, Don.
Annette, I'm not sure what they meant either, but my suspicion is they were thinking basic health education, such as warnings about diet, exercise, and hypertension.
Reading a good book called "Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity." The author, Peter Attia, describes the 4 horsemen that are coming for us: cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and neuro degenerative diseases like Alzheimers. I write this while helping to care for my mom, who was diagnosed with dementia a couple of years ago. Doing what I can to stay informed about this stuff. Your article helped! Thanks, Don :)
These studies drive me nuts. Why are educational opportunities and social activities included in these lists? Isn't dementia primarily, or should I say, exclusively physical/functional in nature? People with low educational levels are merely Uneducated. They're not stupid or demented. I know some very well-educated people who were socially active, business people or educators, physically active and took good care of their health and well-being who are now suffering from dementia. One's attention to health care issues would be a prime indicator, as far as I can see, to one's risk of dementia. All the outside influences put them on a level where they seem to have mental decline because they haven't learned or experienced the same things as those who have had all those resources. As for age, some people just give up keeping track of all the information in their brains or have forgotten most of it because of disuse. Use it or lose it, so the old adage goes.
Sue, I'm no scientist, but it seems use-it-or-lose-it is definitely a factor - but not the only one. We think we know a lot about the brain, but what we know pales in comparison to what we don't.
Thanks for this. My dad had early onset dementia. Lived to be a few months shy of 91. I do worry in the background this too will be my fate, which is why I’m keeping close watch on my health, self-care, and diet. But even so, if the biological time bomb is ticking away, the explosion may be inevitable. There are just no notarized guarantees on this.
This is reassuring. It seems to suggest that a lot of what contributes to dementia in later life can be mitigated by life style choices. I think we made have had some back and forth about this previously. My biggest complaint is that "they" don't tell you what's normal forgetfulness and so on and what's a sign of real decline.
Yesterday in the airport in Cabo, I left Frank to scope out the junk food offerings which were a half level down. When I went to find him, I didn’t remember the short flight of stairs and for a brief time really didn’t know where he was. Your diagnosis?
Okay, Don. Alzheimer's runs in my family. My Dad's older brother was diagnosed with it in his 40s. He died at age 52. Their aunt raised 12 successful children: medical doctors, teachers, and a lawyer. The aunt and 6 of the children, all of whom made it to their 80s or 90s, and one who lived to 103, died of Alzheimer's.
No matter what we do (exercise, diet, etc.), we're all going to die of something.
I see one thing missing from your list: gum disease! The research was just starting to come out in 2018 that plaque affects the heart, and periodontal disease affects the brain. That's a simple, modifiable action. Take great care of your mouth!
Leslie, thanks for this important reminder. Since my last dental visit, I've been rinsing daily with a water cannon.
My mother developed dementia in her 90s. (Mild in comparison to others I've heard or seen.) She passed away a year ago, just shy of 99. I've been obsessed with brain health because of her experience. Thank you for this. It's very helpful.
Lou, I'm glad you found it helpful. Thanks for sharing.
Lack of education as a factor really interests me, because I'm going to guess they don't mean vocational training or busy work, which comprises much of the education on offer. A good liberal arts education gives someone interests and the ability to read complex texts. That's the same education that's under attack as useless. Thanks as ever for a good Saturday read, Don.
Annette, I'm not sure what they meant either, but my suspicion is they were thinking basic health education, such as warnings about diet, exercise, and hypertension.
Darn. 😂 I was hoping to cite this.
Hi, Don. This makes me smile. Here we are, a “mature” gent and lady from Shreveport, Louisiana, still kicking. Must be that Red River water.😊
Patti, I'm sure that's exactly what it is. It couldn't have been the clouds of insecticide for mosquito control that we ran through.
Reading a good book called "Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity." The author, Peter Attia, describes the 4 horsemen that are coming for us: cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and neuro degenerative diseases like Alzheimers. I write this while helping to care for my mom, who was diagnosed with dementia a couple of years ago. Doing what I can to stay informed about this stuff. Your article helped! Thanks, Don :)
Thank you, Evelyn, for sharing a book recommendation. Best of luck with your mother.
These studies drive me nuts. Why are educational opportunities and social activities included in these lists? Isn't dementia primarily, or should I say, exclusively physical/functional in nature? People with low educational levels are merely Uneducated. They're not stupid or demented. I know some very well-educated people who were socially active, business people or educators, physically active and took good care of their health and well-being who are now suffering from dementia. One's attention to health care issues would be a prime indicator, as far as I can see, to one's risk of dementia. All the outside influences put them on a level where they seem to have mental decline because they haven't learned or experienced the same things as those who have had all those resources. As for age, some people just give up keeping track of all the information in their brains or have forgotten most of it because of disuse. Use it or lose it, so the old adage goes.
Sue, I'm no scientist, but it seems use-it-or-lose-it is definitely a factor - but not the only one. We think we know a lot about the brain, but what we know pales in comparison to what we don't.
Thanks for this. My dad had early onset dementia. Lived to be a few months shy of 91. I do worry in the background this too will be my fate, which is why I’m keeping close watch on my health, self-care, and diet. But even so, if the biological time bomb is ticking away, the explosion may be inevitable. There are just no notarized guarantees on this.
No guarantees whatsoever. Keep breathing and be nimble.
This is reassuring. It seems to suggest that a lot of what contributes to dementia in later life can be mitigated by life style choices. I think we made have had some back and forth about this previously. My biggest complaint is that "they" don't tell you what's normal forgetfulness and so on and what's a sign of real decline.
Susie, from what I've read, almost all of it is normal until you forget your address or what year it is.
Yesterday in the airport in Cabo, I left Frank to scope out the junk food offerings which were a half level down. When I went to find him, I didn’t remember the short flight of stairs and for a brief time really didn’t know where he was. Your diagnosis?
Unfamiliar surroundings. No big deal.
Dementia comes in many flavors. For kicks, check out bvFTD.
Wayne, that sounds like a nightmare - a total personality change. Wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.
Okay, Don. Alzheimer's runs in my family. My Dad's older brother was diagnosed with it in his 40s. He died at age 52. Their aunt raised 12 successful children: medical doctors, teachers, and a lawyer. The aunt and 6 of the children, all of whom made it to their 80s or 90s, and one who lived to 103, died of Alzheimer's.
No matter what we do (exercise, diet, etc.), we're all going to die of something.
Jackie, I agree. Butthe rate among your aunt's children was 50%. There are things we can do to up our odds of being in the right 50%.