11 Risk Factors for Dementia and How to Avoid It

Pepper

Pepper

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My sister recently died of dementia. It's hard to say or explain this, but I feel she always had dementia in some form; all her life. She was born after my mother was in labor for 4 days. High metal forceps were used to extract her. My mother always felt this was the reason for my sister always being "high strung."

Two of the risk factors I find interesting are education level and economic deprivation. I was told dementia is a brain disease and you can't "just get it" but I'm not sure of that.

We're at the age where this Guardian article may hopefully be of interest.
Dementia risk study finds 11 key factors behind condition
 

You may also find this interesting:
The Cognitive Debt hypothesis proposes that repetitive negative thinking (RNT), a modifiable process common to many psychological risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD) may itself increase risk. We sought to empirically examine relationships between RNT and markers of AD, compared with anxiety and depression symptoms.

https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/alz.12116
 
Fascinating @Jamala! I can make the progression of my sister's disease starting with the high metal forceps; that her beginning somehow transcribed her ending.

I too have depression & anxiety. I deal with it. I talk to myself about it. I don't let an episode go without mindfulness of the occurrence. My sister would not have dealt with it in detail; in depth. My sister is my only known relative who had this.

Can we stop it from happening? If we are aware it can, that our ways of living lead to it? I'm determined to use whatever means to avoid it.
 

I am not sure we can stop it from happening Pepper, but according to all the studies I have come across, we can certainly delay it and in some cases lessen the severity.

Resisting or fighting negative feelings is not the point but rather changing the focus. You appear to be handling that quite well.
Self talk is a good thing, listening to your favourite music, going for a walk when negative feelings take hold is a great way to deal with it.

You may be right about your sister, who knows? What I am aware of is that, dementia symptoms can be present in early childhood and even in babies. Whether or not that has anything to do with a forceps delivery, only the professionals can expand on that.

I am a very upbeat type of person but even I get the blues sometimes and the above is how I deal with it.
I also meditate and have been doing so for decades.
 
Lara said:
The 11 dementia risk factors hidden in the middle of the lengthy OP article are...age, education, parental history of dementia, material deprivation, a history of diabetes, stroke, depression, hypertension, high cholesterol, household occupancy, and sex.
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I copied the single Paragraph that lists the 11 factors.

The 11 factors are age, education, a history of diabetes, a history of depression, a history of stroke, parental history of dementia, levels of deprivation, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, living alone and being male.
 
Jamala said:
You may be right about your sister, who knows? What I am aware of is that, dementia symptoms can be present in early childhood and even in babies. Whether or not that has anything to do with a forceps delivery, only the professionals can expand on that.
Click to expand...
Do you have more information on this, Jamala? Knowing so many oldsters from infancy, I have noticed the same traits throughout one's lifetime. i.e. The grumpy baby I knew is now a grumpy old man, etc. Personality traits yes, but seemingly innate, lasting, and affecting one's whole life.

Thank you for even suggesting to me that dementia symptoms can be seen in childhood. I'm running with that! as I have been sister watching since birth up until 20 years ago when she ditched me. Did she do that because of dementia? Was it present so long ago, much longer even, since I've known her, really?

I'm so horrified what happened to her as my idiot brother-in-law showed me recent photos; including ones AFTER her death. He's always been a moron.
 
Pepper said:
Do you have more information on this, Jamala? Knowing so many oldsters from infancy, I have noticed the same traits throughout one's lifetime. i.e. The grumpy baby I knew is now a grumpy old man, etc. Personality traits yes, but seemingly innate, lasting, and affecting one's whole life.

Thank you for even suggesting to me that dementia symptoms can be seen in childhood. I'm running with that! as I have been sister watching since birth up until 20 years ago when she ditched me. Did she do that because of dementia? Was it present so long ago, much longer even, since I've known her, really?

I'm so horrified what happened to her as my idiot brother-in-law showed me recent photos; including ones AFTER her death. He's always been a moron.
Click to expand...
I'll see what I can find out tomorrow Pepper. Just taken a couple of pain killers. My leg from a riding mishap yesterday is killing me. I'm feeling a bit woozy, haha and didn't even have a glass of vino!
 
Pepper I know how you feel and although I said I’ll return with more information, I do so rather tentatively. It is best not to get too caught up (easier said than done) because to know anything for certain regarding your sister, only her doctor would have relevant information. He/she hopefully would know her medical history and your brother in law would also know what went on. If you could one day get him to talk…

All I can say (without prejudice) is that it is not known for sure whether she had symptoms of childhood dementia. If she did, then it would have taken decades to progress to a critical point and, may be why your relationship stopped. Possibly, she did not know what was going on…. again BIL can help here.

I don’t want to play doctor…and would hate to instil false beliefs but I fully understand your need to know things.
What I would like to say though is, you have a lot of blessings in your life. Your wonderful son, your adorable grandson and you also mention your DIL is lovely. Run with that instead.
Think of your sister lovingly and remember her in your prayers.

It is normal to have the thoughts you are having, but please don’t let these thoughts spoil what you already have going for yourself. You must think of you now. I am sure, regardless of what her situation was, in her heart, your sister would have loved you…zei gezunt 🤗
 
What a beautiful response (((@Jamala)))! Just lovely, and what a nice way to start my day. You've lit up my curiosity though, and I will at least tentatively examine "childhood dementia." Thank you for bringing this to my attention!
 
I watched the video you posted on drugs to avoid, and the next one on early signs of Dementia. Both were interesting.

I don't take any of the drugs she mentioned to avoid so that's a relief but I did resonate on a low level with some of these early signs of Alzheimers and Dementia.

I found it interesting that repeating things is not a sign unless it's repeated in the same conversation. It doesn't run in my family at all...but I guess I could be the first. I sure hope not. I really feel for families dealing with this.
 
Ronni said:
I copied the single Paragraph that lists the 11 factors.

The 11 factors are age, education, a history of diabetes, a history of depression, a history of stroke, parental history of dementia, levels of deprivation, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, living alone and being male.
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So, tell me again how I can avoid the 3 bolded factors.....
 
Jackie23 said:
I take a PM every night, no more.....this was indeed very informative.....thank you!
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The doctor only mentions to avoid Tylenol PM. So I assume ibuprofen PM is okay but read the directions carefully and the warnings on the bottle. Check with your doctor too. Ask ask before taking every night. Personally, I would say "only when needed".
 
Lara said:
The doctor only mentions to avoid Tylenol PM. So I assume ibuprofen PM is okay but read the directions carefully and the warnings on the bottle. Check with your doctor too. Ask ask before taking every night. Personally, I would say "only when needed".
Click to expand...
I understood that Diphenhydramine is the culprit and anything with PM after the name has Diphenhydramine as the main ingredient.
 
Medication To Treat Alzheimer’s Disease Is Approved

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the drug ‘Leqembi’ for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. It is the first medication to demonstrate convincing evidence of slowing some of the cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

The drug works by clearing a sticky brain plaque linked to the disease. This approval means that U.S. Medicare will now cover the cost of the medication, making it more accessible to those in need.
 
The article mentions losing weight to help stave off dementia. With the exception of my mother (not biological) who was short and chubby, everyone else I know who has/had demential were people on the thin side.
 
OneEyedDiva said:
The article mentions losing weight to help stave off dementia. With the exception of my mother (not biological) who was short and chubby, everyone else I know who has/had demential were people on the thin side.
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My sister was skinny her entire life.
 
It's hard to know, but it's a worry. My mother didn't get dementia and as far as I know, her siblings didn't. I don't know about her parents. Her mother died in an air raid.

I never met one relative of my dead beat father. I've been isolated and afraid a lot in my life. I keep my brain going with reading, crafts, the cats. I wonder, but I actually know, that my mother never cared one bit how the isolation she forced on me would affect me during my life. What any of anything will do to me in older age, I don't know. I'll still be alone. That I know.
 
Jackie23 said:
I understood that Diphenhydramine is the culprit and anything with PM after the name has Diphenhydramine as the main ingredient.
Click to expand...
Pharmacists often understand much more about medications than doctors. I had a pharmacist tell me not to take diphenhydramine. I never did again. I'd take it for sleep sometimes, it hung me over a bit. He said you're better off taking ativan on occasion if you need something.
 

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