Yes, if certain types of dementia run in your family, you may be at an increased risk of developing the condition. However, genetics is only one risk factor for developing this often debilitating condition.
Dr. Andrew Lerman is a board-certified neurologist in practice at Gables Neurology in Miami, Florida. Dr. Lerman and our team specialize in diagnosing, treating, and reducing risk factors for dementia.
Here's what Dr. Lerman suggests you consider if you have a family history of dementia.
Dementia is a general term that describes a decline in cognitive function severe enough to interfere with daily life and activities. It encompasses a variety of symptoms related to memory, thinking, and social abilities.
Notably, dementia isn’t a single disease but a syndrome caused by various underlying conditions or disorders that damage or destroy nerve cells in your brain. Your risk factors for dementia and its symptoms can vary according to type.
Types of dementia include:
This is the most common type of dementia and may have a genetic link. It leads to progressive cognitive decline that may affect your memory, reasoning skills, and other thought processes. Symptoms usually begin after age 60 but can develop in early adulthood.
Vascular dementia is another common type of dementia that’s caused by conditions blocking or reducing blood flow to your brain, such as cholesterol plaques narrowing your carotid arteries. This type of dementia is often apparent following a stroke.
Marked by abnormal protein deposits in your brain, Lewy body dementia often leads to problems with movement and cognition. It has also been linked to genetics.
With this type of dementia, nerve cells in the frontal and temporal lobes of your brain degenerate, affecting your personality, behavior, and language.
Individuals with mixed dementia have two or more types, such as Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.
Take these steps if you have a family history of dementia:
Investigate your family’s medical history. Facts to consider include who in your family had or has dementia (uncle, grandmother, cousin, etc.), their age when diagnosed, and the type of dementia. This information helps Dr. Lerman assess your risk more accurately.
Our team also recommends exploring information from trustworthy medical sources regarding symptoms, underlying causes, and your personal risk factors.
A healthy lifestyle includes a nutritious diet (i.e., Mediterranean or DASH diet) associated with better heart, brain, and vascular health. Regular physical activity improves blood flow to your brain and can help prevent conditions that increase your dementia risk.
Additionally, keeping your brain engaged with activities such as reading, puzzles, learning new skills, or playing musical instruments gives your brain a healthy workout that may decrease your risk of dementia.
This type of cognitive stimulation helps build cognitive reserve, potentially delaying the onset or progression of dementia symptoms.
Maintaining strong social connections, such as regular interaction with friends and family, can help reduce stress and improve your mental well-being.
High blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses that affect your vascular health increase your risk factors for dementia. Managing these conditions with medication, diet, stress management, restful sleep habits, and routine exercise can reduce your risks.
Dr. Lerman is an avid researcher who follows the latest information regarding dementia prevention and treatment. New findings and recommendations can provide additional strategies to reduce your risk.
Regular check-ups with your health care provider can monitor your overall health and identify early signs of cognitive decline. Don’t hesitate to contact Gables Neurology if you notice changes in your memory or cognitive function. Early detection of dementia can lead to more effective management of the condition.
Schedule an evaluation with Dr. Lerman today by calling our office or requesting an appointment online.
