Know the risk factors of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a fatal, progressive neurodegenerative disease that slowly destroys brain cells, altering the way an individual thinks, feels and behaves and affecting their memory. It is characterized as a lack of interest in the outside world, memory problems, blank expression and loss of cognitive skills. It is a fatal neurological disorder, a chronic disease that affects your brain’s ability to remember information and process it. Alzheimer’s begins as a slight memory loss, then leading to a severe form, as the brain starts losing control over its functions and ultimately fails to carry out basic tasks. So let’s get an insight into the six main risk factors for developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Know the risk factors of Alzheimer’s disease

Age: The single most important risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s is age. While it is not a normal part of aging, the majority of people with Alzheimer’s are 65 and older. After age 65, the risk of developing Alzheimer’s doubles every five years.

Gender: Although men in their 60s are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s than women of the same age, more women than men have Alzheimer’s overall, due to their longer life expectancy.

Genetics: Certain genetic mutations greatly increase the likelihood that a person will develop early-onset Alzheimer’s (before age 65). However, these types of genetic mutations are very rare and account for less than 1 percent of cases. In addition to these rare genes, there is some evidence that certain genes may increase a person’s risk for developing late-onset Alzheimer’s (after age 65 — which accounts for about 95 percent of all cases). These genes may act independently or in combination with other risk factors, such as high blood pressure or heart disease.

Smoking: Studies have revealed that people who smoke are at a 45% higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s as compared to non-smokers. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of several other diseases such as cancer, diabetes and vascular dementia. A person can substantially reduce the risk of incurring Alzheimer’s by not smoking.

Obesity: Obesity and lack of physical exercise, especially in mid-life, are common risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. An active lifestyle and a well-balanced diet help in maintaining not just one’s physical health but also mental health.

Family history: Family history is another significant risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. If a parent or sibling has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, your risk increases.

Understanding the risk factors can be quite helpful in reducing your chances of developing the disease. It is evident that the identified risk factors have been categorized into two major groups, i.e., lifestyle and genetic risk factors. They both have been listed in accordance with the risks they carry. Additionally, age also seems to be a major contributor to the cause of Alzheimer’s disease, with most people showing signs of advanced symptoms after 85 years of age. If you are looking for the best neurologist in Amritsar, Dr. Raghav Wadhwa is the right person to recommend. He understands the risk factors that contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.