19 Sep. 2024
Can dementia affect us all?
We asked Prof. Dr. Thorsten Bartsch, Senior Consultant in Neurology and the Memory and Dementia Outpatient Clinic at the University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein: The most important information summarized and what we can do to prevent it.
Is dementia becoming a widespread disease?
According to the WHO (as of 2023), around 55 million people worldwide are affected. In Germany, it is estimated that around three million people could suffer from dementia by 2050 and, according to current calculations, as many as one in three people could be affected in the course of their lives.
It doesn't have to be like this: A better understanding of the aspects and causes of dementia can reduce risk factors and early diagnosis can help to slow its progression.
Neurology and the memory and dementia outpatient departments of large hospitals focus on early detection, education and prevention. We have therefore collected answers to the most important questions:
What is dementia?
Dementia is a combination of symptoms and describes the decline in cognitive, emotional and social abilities. Degenerative and non-degenerative diseases in the brain are responsible for the breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. At the beginning, short-term memory and retention are impaired; as the disease progresses, long-term memory is impaired.
At least 60% of dementia cases are attributed to Alzheimer's, a neurodegenerative disease of the brain that leads to the irreversible destruction of nerve cells.
Can dementia affect us all?
Experts agree that dementia is not self-inflicted - genetic predispositions cannot be influenced. However, we can reduce risk factors such as diabetes, obesity, strokes, alcohol or head injuries that promote the development of dementia. A healthy lifestyle, an active and stimulating everyday life and social contacts also promote the resilience of our brain.
Can dementia be recognized early?
Prevention and early detection can slow down the progression of the disease and/or reduce risk factors. The family doctor is the first port of call to rule out other factors and then refers the patient to the appropriate specialists. Alzheimer's can be detected using memory tests, MRI and laboratory tests of the cerebrospinal fluid. In the future, blood tests should make a reliable diagnosis possible.
What treatment options are available?
Basically, a healthy lifestyle can help prevent some forms of dementia. While primary dementias such as Alzheimer's or vascular dementia are irreversible, the symptoms of secondary dementias, which occur as a result of other underlying diseases, can often be reversed. This is where the treatment of this disease comes in. Once brain cells have been destroyed, they cannot be restored.
Experts recommend activity and independence for dementia patients: In addition to medication that prevents or slows down the progression of primary dementia, for example, it is important to keep those affected in an active everyday life and in their familiar surroundings for as long as possible: Apps that support everyday life, a functioning social environment and activities that stimulate the body and mind help with this. Those affected also find a social structure, activities and the necessary support in shared dementia apartments.
Can dementia be prevented?
Not every weak memory is dementia. Knowledge helps to prevent and support those affected and prevents the stigmatization of dementia sufferers.
Research assumes that the development of Alzheimer's, for example, is promoted by risk factors to around 40% and the positive effect of preventive measures is estimated at around 30%.
As long as research has not found a cure for dementia or Alzheimer's, experts advise people to take precautions themselves: a functioning social environment and a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk factors that promote dementia.
The Alzheimer's Society provides information, support and advice for people with dementia and their families, offers rehabilitation measures and arranges local contacts and self-help groups.
More expertise on the topic of dementia will be available at the CON.THERA therapist congress, which will take place parallel to the REHAB trade fair from 22 to 24 May 2025 at Messe Karlsruhe. Renowned expert Prof. Dr. Thorsten Bartsch from the University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein in Kiel will be giving a lecture here as Senior Consultant, Professor of Memory Disorders and Plasticity (W2) and Head of the Memory and Dementia Outpatient Clinic.
Tips for preventive measures against dementia in everyday life
1. Movement:
Being physically active can be a real booster for our brain performance and help to maintain brain performance for longer, even in the case of dementia.
- Physical activity improves blood flow to the brain and can prevent harmful deposits in the blood vessels.
- Exercise stimulates the hormones that build connections between nerve cells - thinking performance is stabilized and the brain becomes more efficient.
- Exercise stimulates cell growth in the hippocampus, the learning center of the brain
2. Mental fitness:
Studies show: People who challenge their brain well into old age have a lower risk of dementia. Mental activity promotes better networking of neurons. Brain cells can be challenged even in old age. The more complex the activities are, the better: solving crossword puzzles and watching TV are not among them.
- Listening to or making music
- Reading
- Playing games - from card games to puzzles or computer and video games
- Learning new things - languages, a sport, a new hobby
- Memory training - helps with prevention and also for those already affected: Activating exercises promote cognitive skills, train long-term memory, maintain social skills and strengthen sensory perception and enjoyment of life.
3. Nutrition:
We can optimally support our body and mind with suitable foods - our brain consumes around 20% of the energy we supply our body with.
- The Mediterranean diet with lots of fruit and vegetables, pulses, olive oil and oily sea fish is a model and reduces the risk of cardiovascular problems and diabetes.
4. Sufficient sleep:
Certain processes that have a positive influence on our health take place during sleep.
- Important regeneration processes take place during sleep and can protect against dementia
5. Social contacts:
Even if we sometimes like to be alone and enjoy the peace and quiet. Loneliness makes us ill.
- People who are unintentionally alone are up to twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's disease
- Conversations stimulate and train concentration, memory, our senses and language skills
6. Risk factors:
What we should pay attention to and can influence.
- Vascular diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiac arrhythmia, elevated cholesterol levels and obesity are risk factors
- Avoid alcohol and smoking
- People with depression, lack of sleep and low education have an increased risk
- Serious head injuries, repeated concussions, hearing loss in old age and exposure to particulate matter are further risk factors.