Dr Hilary issues warning about missed dementia diagnoses
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Ageing is the biggest risk factor for dementia. There are, however, lots of things you can do to reduce your risk. Indeed, there is evidence that a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the risk of dementia.
The Alzheimer’s Society says that “keeping mentally and socially active into later life may help lower a person’s risk of dementia.”
Being socially active could include visiting friends or going to a place of worship, while being mentally active could include doing puzzles or reading, or learning a new skill, aciclovir y bebidas alcoholicas it explains.
The charity says: “Volunteering could offer both mental and social activity and many organisations offer opportunities for people looking to donate their time or skills.”
It also outlines a number of other ways to reduce your risk.
It notes getting depression treated early is important.
A healthy balanced diet also helps to reduce a person’s risk, it adds.
“Regular physical exercise (for example, cycling, swimming, brisk walking), maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, and drinking alcohol only in moderation, if at all, are linked to a reduced risk of dementia,” says the charity.
Some risk factors for dementia can’t be avoided – for example ageing and genes. However there are lots of risk factors that can be avoided, or at least reduced – for example, smoking.
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Overall, there are more women than men living with dementia. This is mostly because women tend to live longer than men.
For people aged between 65 and 69, around two in every 100 people have dementia.
The number of people with dementia is increasing because people are living longer.
So it is perhaps unsurprising that numbers are expected to grow.
It is estimated that by 2025, the number of people with dementia in the UK will be more than one million.
The NHS says: “It’s normal for your memory to be affected by stress, tiredness, certain illnesses and medicines.
“But if you’re becoming increasingly forgetful, particularly if you’re over the age of 65, it’s a good idea to talk to a GP about the early signs of dementia.”
Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia and, together with vascular dementia, makes up the majority of cases.
Memory loss is not the only common symptom.
Dementia symptoms may include problems with mood and movement.
A person with dementia will usually need help from friends or relatives, including help with making decisions.
The NHS notes that although there is no cure for dementia at the moment, though an early diagnosis means its progress can be slowed down in some cases.
“A diagnosis helps people with dementia get the right treatment and support,” it adds.
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