Common health issues could be risk factors for dementia

AUSTRALIANS are largely unaware common health issues such as hearing loss, depression and high cholesterol are risk factors for dementia, according to Australia’s peak body for the condition.

Dementia Australia chief executive officer Professor Tanya Buchanan said dementia was the second leading cause of death for all Australians (behind heart disease) and there are presently 433,300 Australians living with dementia.

“Dementia is on track to become the country’s biggest cause of death within the next five years.

“While we cannot change getting older, genetics or family history, scientific research shows that looking after our brain health can make a big difference to reducing or delaying the risk of developing dementia.”

A recent iPsos survey of Australian attitudes towards dementia, found that many Australians remained unaware that proactive steps can help reduce dementia risk.

Last year, the Lancet Commission identified 14 modifiable risk factors which, if addressed effectively, could reduce dementia incidence globally by 45 per cent.

The risk factors include smoking, obesity and physical inactivity as well as factors such as hearing loss, high cholesterol and depression.

“In fact, people with mild to severe hearing loss are two to five times as likely to develop dementia than those with normal hearing,” Professor Buchanan said.

Peter, who lives with younger onset dementia, was shocked to learn that hearing loss could contribute to dementia, especially as he has lived with an incurable hearing disorder for the past two decades.

“If we can get the message out there, to help people identify small changes they can make in their every day – we might just save a life,” he said.

He said his focus now was to live as well as possible with dementia.

“I’m trying to live life to the full – playing golf, spending time with my family and friends, and getting out into the world.”

Dementia Australia Honorary Medical Advisor Henry Brodaty led a recent three-year clinical trial that has definitively shown that looking after our brain health slows cognitive decline.

The University of New South Wales Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing trial, titled “Maintain Your Brain”, tested whether effectively addressing some of the modifiable risk factors for dementia resulted in better cognition in older adults over a three-year period.

“The outcome was a resounding yes – we can improve cognition over three years and, therefore, likely enhance resilience to dementia,” Professor Brodaty said.

Dementia Australia is urgently calling on the federal government to fund a national discussion about brain health and dementia prevention.

Professor Buchanan said dementia was a chronic condition that could affecct anyone, just like cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

“It’s a chronic condition which must be treated with the same health investment as other major chronic conditions.

“Dementia is the leading health, disability and aged care issue facing Australia. It impacts Australians across their life and nearly 30,000 Australians live with younger onset dementia.

“The research is clear that dementia is a condition that starts many decades before symptoms appear. So, it is vital that all Australians understand the importance of maintaining brain health throughout our lives.

“It is never too early or too late to reduce your dementia risk.”

For more information about the modifiable risk factors that can make a big difference to your brain health, head to dementia.org.au/brain-health/reducing-your-risk-dementia