Experts warn about habits that could lead to dementia

Dementia is a neurocognitive disorder where the brain is damaged due to an injury or a disease. Some of the symptoms include loss of memory, unusual behavior or deep thinking that poses a negative impact on the person’s ability to function and carry out some of the regular and everyday activities. It declines the basic cognitive functions and is usually diagnosed based on the history of the illness and the lifestyle of the person. Experts have talked about a few habits that could lead to dementia.

1. Unhealthy diet – Doctors have always talked about maintaining a healthy and a balanced diet. But having a diet with high sodium levels could lead to high blood pressure which could ultimately lead to dementia. Some of the activities and behavior is related to high blood pressure that could pose a risk for developing dementia.

2. Consumption of alcohol – it is not just excessive alcohol consumption that could lead to damage, but even binge drinking poses a risk of dementia. It increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases that could lead to a number of medical complications that include stroke and is associated with the increased risk of the neurocognitive disorder.

3. Smoking – Experts have warned that smoking increases the risk of the disease in a number of ways. The habit damages the blood vessels which is a common factor towards dementia. Cigarette smoking toxins can also cause oxidative stress and inflammation which is linked to Alzheimer’s disease, which is a type of dementia.

4. A sedentary lifestyle –Leading a sedentary lifestyle is one of the major factors that could lead to the neurocognitive disease. Experts say that lack of exercise or physical activity can be harmful for the body as exercise increases the health of the blood vessels that deliver healthy blood throughout the body. If the blood vessels are weak or damaged, then it poses a risk for blood clots that could lead to a stroke, which is a risk for dementia.

Photo Credits: Pixabay