Preventive Measures against the Development of Dementia in Old Age

Abstract

Dementia is a neurological condition characterized by numerous types of central nervous system diseases, which gradually deteriorates an individual’s reasoning, rational thinking, and judgment abilities. As a serious public health concern that currently affects more than 50 million older adults, dementia is one of the most significant causes of incapacity, disability, and dependency among older adults. As new cases are expected to increase exponentially in the next three decades, dementia, which is not a normal feature of healthy aging despite the fact that it generally affects older adults disproportionately, requires enormous management and care efforts due to its associated socioeconomic, psychological, and physical burdens that involve the patient, their caregivers, guardians, family members, and society at large. Presently, there is no cure for dementia; however, this condition could be prevented. This narrative review aimed to provide a broad overview of studies detailing the alternative lifestyle modification-centered preventive measures against dementia. A comprehensive search of key databases to find articles related to this topic revealed that participating in regular physical activities, healthy eating and dieting, avoiding all forms of smoking, avoiding air pollutants, halting or reducing alcohol consumption, exercising the mind and being socially dynamic, getting enough rest and establishing good sleeping habits, infection prevention, stress prevention, avoidance of injuries, preventing the effects of social isolation and lockdowns, continuing education, and depression prevention are protective measures against the development of dementia.

Guidelines for nutrition counseling in primary healthcare clinics

“…우리나라의 이러한 질병부담 에 기여하는 3대 위험요인은 영양, 음주, 흡연이며, 이 중 영 양문제가 가장 중요한 기여요인이다 [3,4]. 올바른 식습관과 영양 관리는 질병의 예방과 진행을 늦추며, 때로는 거꾸로 되돌릴 수 있는 강력한 수단이 될 수 있다 [5][6][7][8][9]. 그러나 현 실적으로 일차 의료 현장에서 영양상담을 충분히 제공하는 데 많은 장벽이 있다 [10].…”

A Genome-Wide Association Study of Dementia Using the Electronic Medical Record

“…Approximately one-third of people aged 85 or older are likely to have dementia. It is also a leading cause of disability and death among older adults and a significant burden on public health [3].…”

Health promotion: the essence of primary healthcare

“…따라서 금연을 하면 모든 암의 발생 확률 이 감소하며 특히 흡연과 비만 관련 암들의 발병 확률은 현저히 떨어진다[3,4]. 금연하면 심근경색과 뇌졸중의 위험도 와 심혈관계 사망위험도도 감소하며[5,6], 우리 국민들이 가 장 무서워하는 질병인 치매의 발병 위험도 줄인다[7].영양도 비만, 당뇨병, 관상동맥질환, 암, 사망과 관련되어 있으므로 환자에게 있어서 영양의 관리는 이들 질병의 예방 과 치료에서 매우 중요한 부분을 차지한다. 환자가 에너지 및 영양소 균형을 위하여 다양한 음식을 골고루, 적당한 양 으로 섭취하여 건강한 식생활을 실천하도록 돕는 것은 일차 진료의사의 역할이다[8].…”