Yes, research strongly links hearing loss, including deafness, to a higher risk of dementia, with the risk increasing with the severity of hearing loss, potentially due to brain strain, faster brain shrinkage, and social isolation, though using hearing aids can significantly reduce this risk. Deaf people, especially within the Deaf community, may face unique challenges like under-diagnosis and barriers to accessible information, highlighting the need for tailored healthcare and sign language resources for dementia care, say Taylor & Francis Online and The University of Manchester.
Age. The biggest risk factor for dementia is ageing. This means as a person gets older, their risk of developing dementia increases a lot. For people aged between 65 and 69, around 2 in every 100 people have dementia.
The number one trigger for dementia behavior is unmet needs, especially unrecognized physical or emotional discomfort. This means the person with a dementia diagnosis is trying to communicate something they can't fully express through language. Your loved one may be: Hungry or thirsty.
Central hearing loss involves problems with processing sounds in the brain, that are not able to be corrected with hearing aids. This may be a very early symptom of Alzheimer's disease, as sound processing parts of the brain are affected by the disease.
Hearing impairment has been suggested to be the most impactful modifiable risk factor for dementia in mid-life, with approximately 9% of dementia patients being linked to hearing loss (Livingston et al. 2020).
Common early symptoms of dementia
memory loss. difficulty concentrating. finding it hard to carry out familiar daily tasks, such as getting confused over the correct change when shopping. struggling to follow a conversation or find the right word.
Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia and may contribute to 60–70% of cases. Dementia is currently the seventh leading cause of death and one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people globally.
But Romano says it's a leap to say that skipping breakfast actually causes dementia. “Alzheimer's disease is a complex brain illness,” he says. “Although the study found these correlations between skipping breakfast and dementia, skipping breakfast might be an indicator of other health habits or life circumstances.”
Our results confirm that vitamin D deficiency is associated with a substantially increased risk of all-cause dementia and Alzheimer disease.
Try to limit or avoid drinking alcohol and smoking.
Over time, excessive drinking can lead to high blood pressure or brain injuries, both of which increase the risk of dementia. Current smoking also increases the risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
There is no known cure, but early diagnosis and treatment can lead to better quality of life. Stay healthy with a good diet and regular exercise. Stay away from alcohol and other substances that may affect memory, thinking, and behavior.
2. Wandering. Six out of 10 people living with dementia wander at least once, according to the Alzheimer's Association. For some, the urge to wander often occurs later in the day because of sundowning.
The SAGE test is a short, self-administered evaluation that screens for early signs of memory or thinking problems like dementia. You take it on your own, at home or at your provider's office. It's simple and there's no studying needed. It can catch issues early.
Signs of MCI include losing things often, forgetting to go to important events or appointments, and having more trouble coming up with words than other people of the same age. It's common for family and friends to notice these changes.
Smoking, low physical activity, and a poor diet are all lifestyle and environmental influences that have been linked to rapid dementia decline. Physical activity promotes cardiovascular health, which in turn improves brain function. Those who lead a sedentary lifestyle may experience faster cognitive decline.
Other conditions which may cause or mimic dementia include depression, brain tumors, nutritional deficiencies, head injuries, hydrocephalus, infections (AIDS, meningitis, syphilis), drug reactions and thyroid problems.
The researchers found dementia risk decreased with higher amounts of physical activity. Dementia risks were 60% lower in participants in the 35 to 69.9 minutes of physical activity/week category; 63% lower in the 70 to 139.9 minutes/week category; and 69% lower in the 140 and over minutes/week category.