According to an article I found on the health page CNN’s website, the number of people with dementia is estimated to double every 20 years. These estimates have been made because of studies that show how people are living longer and the population growth is increasing. Developing countries are especially important here, and they have the highest estimated level of increase for dementia cases. The article stated that the number of people with dementia in Europe is expected to rise by 40 percent, and an estimated 63 percent in North America. The increases for Latin America and developed Asia Pacific countries are supposed to be about 77 and 89 percent, respectively. Other countries have much higher numbers. Certain areas such as East and South Asia, Latin America, North Africa, and the Middle East will have percentage increases ranging from 117 percent to 146 percent. These numbers were astounding to me.
According to the report discussed in this article, about 35.6 million people around the world will be living with dementia by 2010. The numbers estimated for 2030 and 2050 are even larger and more astounding.
The National Institutes of Health have found that one in seven Americans age 71 and older have dementia. According to Mayo Clinic, dementia is most commonly caused by Alzheimer’s disease.
Keeping the mind healthy is similar to keeping the heart healthy. Exercise is a huge part of keeping our minds healthy. Just like physical exercise helps the heart and body, cognitive exercise can help out when it comes to the brain and memory. Other methods of prevention involve Vitamins A,C, and E which are antioxidants as well as supplements such as fish oil. Studies show that people who eat curry once a week have been found to have better memory. These types of mental stimulation, antioxidants, and supplements can help delay the start of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
I found this article extremely interesting because younger people don’t seem to think about the effects of dementia and Alzheimer’s. It occurs in so many people, and I don’t think that anyone considers the actions they could take in order to prevent this type of disease from occurring.
The facts from the article about dementia and how it is predicted to increase is insane! People with Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are very sad to watch struggle through day by day. Although, there is no total cure for either yet, there are suggestions and you’re right; the younger generations don’t relaly think to take those precautions. Not until it is too late, then they wished they would have done some of the things they read in a magazine when they were younger. I also read somewhere that doing puzzle like word finds and Sudoku help keep your mind fresh.
ReplyDeleteI think that dementia is a particularly hard thing for those afflicted and their families to go through. At least with other ailments, the person keeps their mind and memories. My great-grandmother, who recently passed away, suffered from a form of dementia. It was very hard to visit her because she didn't know who I was, or even who her daughter was. She was afraid and would cry for no reason.
ReplyDeleteI never want to lose my memories of my family. I think I will look into how to prevent dementia in later years.