Major Risk Factors For Dementia

Dementia is a term used to describe a category of medical conditions that involve a series of symptoms associated with a decline in thinking or memory skills severe enough to affect the individual's daily life. The most well-known form of dementia is Alzheimer's disease, and it accounts for sixty to eighty percent of all dementia cases. The second most common type of dementia occurs after a stroke and is called vascular dementia. Contrary to popular belief, dementia is not a normal part of aging.

Smoking

Heavy smokers are at a pretty high risk for developing dementia later in life than those who do not. In fact, a study conducted in Finland showed individuals from the age of fifty to sixty years old who smoked two packs of cigarettes daily were twice as likely to develop dementia than others who did not smoke. Elderly individuals who smoke are especially at an increased risk of dementia. The study also showed those who used to smoke or who smoked very little did not appear to be at a significantly increased risk for dementia.

Genetic Predispositions

Individuals are more likely to develop dementia if a close relative such as a parent or sibling has the condition. This risk goes up if they have more than one close family member with dementia. It should be noted that having family members with dementia does not guarantee someone will also develop the condition. It just means they are more at risk of developing it than someone who does not have the family history. To be sure, individuals can get genetically tested to find out what their likelihood of being diagnosed with dementia is. A gene called ApoE4 is strongly associated with dementia. Individuals who carry this gene are two to four times more likely to develop the condition than those who do not carry the gene. Those who carry two copies of this gene are ten times more likely to see dementia in their lifetime.