Healthy life-style key to decreasing dementia danger, VDH says

VERONA, Va. (WHSV) – The month of June is acknowledged as Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month by the Alzheimer’s Association.

As Alzheimer’s illness and different types of dementia proceed to have an effect on tens of millions of Americans, well being officers are encouraging Virginians to acknowledge the warning indicators and take steps to cut back their danger.

Common indicators of dementia can embody reminiscence loss that disrupts each day life, issue sustaining consideration, bother speaking, poor judgment or problem-solving expertise, and changing into misplaced in acquainted locations. Rachel Dumene, communications specialist with the Virginia Department of Health’s Central Shenandoah Health District, stated anybody experiencing these signs or noticing them in a beloved one ought to search medical steering.

“Living a healthy lifestyle is going to be your best preventative measure against developing dementia as you age,” Dumene stated. “If you are being impacted by dementia, it’s going to be really important for someone to visit their medical professional and get the care that they might need.”

Dumene stated age is probably the most vital danger issue for dementia, with adults over 65 on the highest danger. Several different components can improve the probability of creating the situation, together with bodily inactivity, uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension, listening to loss, and tobacco and extreme alcohol use.

Officials advocate staying bodily lively, consuming a nutritious diet, limiting alcohol and tobacco use, and sustaining common checkups with a healthcare supplier to assist decrease the chance of cognitive decline.

The Virginia Department of Health additionally offers online resources about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, together with a dementia danger quiz designed to assist individuals higher perceive potential danger components.