Whether you’re living with it yourself or have a relative experiencing its effects, dementia is a growing concern for millions of individuals and families in the United States.
Board-certified neurologist Dr. Andrew Lerman at Gables Neurology in Miami, Florida, is well-known for his compassionate, research-driven approach to comprehensive dementia care and prevention.
While there isn’t yet a treatment to prevent dementia, certain medications can slow its progression. Additionally, reliable studies show that adopting healthy habits can reduce dementia risk.
Dementia is a collection of symptoms (i.e., memory loss, impaired judgment, and cognitive decline) caused by various underlying brain conditions.
While age is the most significant risk factor, others include genetics, lifestyle, and certain health conditions like high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, and obesity.
Consider adopting these habits to reduce dementia risks:
Eating a nutrient-rich diet is associated with better brain health. Diets like the Mediterranean or MIND diet are linked to a lower risk of dementia. Both are rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
Physical activity increases blood flow to your brain, encourages neuroplasticity (your brain's ability to reorganize itself), and helps manage or prevent conditions that increase dementia risk like hypertension and diabetes.
Staying mentally active through puzzles, learning new skills, and social interactions can help build cognitive resilience. Socializing with family and friends, volunteering, and intellectual challenges stimulate neural connections, potentially delaying or reducing cognitive decline.
Circulatory health is closely linked to brain health. Conditions like hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes can damage blood vessels in your brain, increasing dementia risk.
Regular check-ups, routine exercise, a healthy diet, and medication adherence are vital steps to heart and brain health.
Too much, too little, or restless sleep can increase your risk of dementia. Try for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night. Habits like minimizing screen time before bed and a regular bedtime routine can help you reach this goal.
Smoking damages blood vessels and impairs oxygen flow, while excessive alcohol leads to brain shrinkage and cognitive decline. Quitting smoking and drinking in moderation can protect your brain health.
Schedule an evaluation with Dr. Lerman if you notice early signs of memory issues or cognitive changes.
You may benefit from medication, changes in diet, or other therapies that help delay the onset or slow the progression of dementia. Conditions that cause dementia-like symptoms, such as vitamin deficiencies, thyroid problems, or a medication reaction, are treatable.
While there’s no foolproof way to prevent dementia, Dr. Lerman can help you develop a plan to protect your brain health and lower your risk.
Schedule an evaluation with Dr. Lerman at Gables Neurology today by calling our office or requesting an appointment online.
