Health

Dementia is a condition that millions of Brits will have faced in their lives – either through someone they love or going through it themselves. Many could help to limit their chances of developing the symptoms of dementia with a few lifestyle changes, according to a TV doctor.

ITV regular Dr Amir Khan claims that there is “a lot we can all do” to reduce the risk of developing dementia. His suggestions come from a major review of studies that investigated the impact of dementia and certain lifestyle and health choices.

He said: “There was a big 2024 Lancet review looking at all the things we can do to reduce our risk of dementia or delay it. By about 45% you can reduce your risk, which is huge.”

The practising GP claims that, just because these studies found a link between certain habits and dementia, it does not mean that every case is preventable. He adds that factors that are just part of life, such as age and genetics, also play a role.

But, he said that “dementia is not an inevitable part of getting older”. There are some habits that most people could do to slash their risk for the future.

Exercise:

Dr Khan said: “Physical inactivity is one of those recognised risk factors. We know that regular exercise helps your cardiovascular system, blood vessels, and metabolic health. all of which matter to your brain.”

He claims that the NHS-backed target of “about 150 minutes of moderate activity a week” could make a world of difference to your overall health, including the risk of developing dementia. It does not have to be anything intense – and sometimes people could clock up those 2.5 hours without realising through things like brisk walking or dancing

Focus on your heart:

Although dementia is commonly linked to the brain (through damaged or lost nerve cells), studies have found that focusing on another organ, much further south, could have lasting health benefits that could prevent people from deteriorating. Dr Khan said: “Look after your heart because what’s good for your heart is generally what’s good for your brain.”

People in their forties and beyond were reminded to consider just how much their heart has to risk. From high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes to name a few – each condition becomes its own risk factor.

Keep an eye on your ears:

Another body part that most would not link to dementia, but it can be a red flag if something starts to go wrong with your hearing. Dr Khan claims that ” lots of people don’t think about it”, but studies have linked hearing loss, particularly in midlife, as one of the recognised potential risk factors for dementia.

He said: “There are probably several reasons this happens, including the extra work your brain has to do to process sound and the fact that hearing loss can lead to people becoming socially isolated. Protect your ears from excessive noise and, if you notice that your hearing has deteriorated, go and get it checked – don’t just put up with it.”

Engage your brain often

As the common saying goes, if you don’t use it – you lose it. Dr Khan claims some of the studies included in this review found that ” using your brain” and ” seeing people” fought off some lesser-known lifestyle risks of dementia.

He said: “Social isolation itself is associated with an increased risk of dementia. There is evidence that people who remain mentally and socially active throughout life have lower rates of dementia.

I would say read books regularly, handwrite regularly, learn something new regularly, take up a hobby, volunteer, join a group.” Something as simple as just seeing your friends for a coffee or drinks can “absolutely count” as looking after your brain.

Protect your head

The ITV regular said: “Wear a helmet when you’re cycling, take concussions seriously and particularly as we get older, maintaining muscle strength and balance can help prevent falls and head injuries.”

According to an ageing specialist, people can slash their risk of developing dementia by half by addressing one seemingly unrelated health issue that many would not typically associate with brain health. Dementia is a progressive condition that impairs brain function, leading to a decline in cognitive abilities such as memory and reasoning, as well as speech and emotional regulation over time.

In the UK, an estimated 944,000 people are believed to be living with dementia, as it affects roughly 1 in 11 people over the age of 65. This number is expected to grow to 1.4 million people by the year 2040 as the population ages

Health professionals have long provided evidence-based guidance on the various ways individuals can lower their chances of developing dementia, including adopting healthy lifestyle habits that protect both heart and brain.

Now, one ageing expert, Dr Steph, a physician specialising in Geriatrics and Internal Medicine, has revealed yet another method of reducing dementia risk — and it centres on your hearing.

In a video shared on TikTok, she said: “It’s just a reminder that the number one modifiable thing that you can do to prevent dementia is the correction of hearing loss.”

She went on to explain: “So if you have any hearing loss and you wear hearing aids, you will cut your risk of dementia by almost half.”

How does hearing loss affect your risk of dementia?

Untreated hearing loss substantially heightens the likelihood of developing dementia, with the risk increasing in line with the severity of the hearing impairment, according to Alzheimer’s Society. It has also been linked to a decline in memory and cognitive abilities.

This is because when those listening areas of the brain fall out of use, they may begin to deteriorate. Furthermore, the considerable mental effort required to process sound can ultimately exhaust the brain.

Hearing loss is also associated with social isolation and depression, which are themselves independent risk factors for dementia, Dr Steph noted in the caption of her post.

She also referenced a clinical trial by ACHIEVE (Aging and Cognitive Health Evaluation in Elders), which discovered that wearing hearing aids reduced the rate of cognitive decline by 48% over a three-year period amongst older adults at greater risk of cognitive deterioration.

Nevertheless, the Alzheimer’s Society emphasised that while the connection between hearing loss and dementia remains incompletely understood, it does not necessarily mean that someone with hearing loss will go on to develop dementia – simply that their risk is elevated.

What are the signs of dementia?

According to the NHS, common early indicators of dementia include short-term memory loss, difficulty managing everyday tasks, and changes in communication or mood. These symptoms are frequently mild and may deteriorate only very slowly.

It is often referred to as “mild cognitive impairment” (MCI) as the symptoms are not serious enough to be diagnosed as dementia.

If you are concerned about any symptoms, or believe you or someone close to you has dementia, it is advised to contact your GP to arrange an appointment.

A scientist’s revealed why some get nasty, swollen mosquito bites – yet others barely suffer a scratch. A series of UK heatwaves have seen many of us get in the habit of leaving our bedroom windows open at night to cool down, but in the morning we may wake to find a mosquito bite.

Khalid Beshir, lecturer in biomedical science, at the University of East London, explains that when a mosquito bites you, it injects saliva into your skin. But some of us are hypersensitive to that saliva and our immune system being kept busy can also make us more vulnerable to viruses carried by the insect – such as dengue, Zika and West Nile virus.

Beshir writes in The Conversation: “Our immune system recognises the saliva as foreign and releases histamine – an immune cell chemical that causes allergy symptoms such as redness, swelling and itchiness.

“But crucially a mosquito’s saliva also contains other active compounds that interact with the immune system such as proteins that prevent blood clotting and keep blood flowing so they can feed undisturbed.

“These same salivary proteins influence the immune response that occurs at the bite site. It nudges the immune system toward a ‘Th2’ response. more associated with allergy-type reactions than fighting infection.

“For a simple bite this just means more redness, swelling and itching – but this same immune shift may also make it easier for viruses carried by the mosquito to spread through the body.

“Applying a cold compress soon after a bite may help reduce swelling. Oral antihistamines and mild topical corticosteroid creams can also relieve itching and inflammation, particularly when used early.

“Avoid scratching as this can prolong inflammation, damage the skin and increase the risk of infection. People who develop unusually large reactions, worsening pain or fever should seek medical advice.

“Preventing bites remains the best strategy. Using insect repellents, covering exposed skin and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets where mosquito-borne diseases occur can all reduce the risk of being bitten.”

Why some people react more strongly:

“Children often react more strongly than adults, and reactions tend to be strongest the first few times someone is exposed to a particular mosquito species.

“But the key reason people react so badly to mosquito bites comes down to having a mild hypersensitivity to mosquito saliva.

“A much smaller number of people develop exaggerated local reactions, sometimes called Skeeter syndrome, where swelling extends well beyond the bite itself and is often mistaken for bacterial cellulitis (a skin infection that causes redness and swelling).

“Skeeter syndrome is thought to result from an unusually strong immune response to the proteins in mosquito saliva, involving mosquito-specific antibodies and other inflammatory immune responses.

“Why some people develop this exaggerated response is not fully understood – although age, previous exposure to mosquitoes and individual susceptibility may all play a role.”

Mosquito saliva and disease:

“The implications of mosquito saliva extends beyond the annoying, itchy bites they leave behind.

“Researchers are increasingly recognising that these salivary proteins may influence what happens when pathogens are transmitted from mosquitoes to humans.

“Specifically, the same immune changes that cause the itchy bites in the first place appear to help mosquito-born viruses such as dengue, Zika and West Nile virus establish a stronger initial infection and spread through the body faster than if the virus were injected without saliva alongside it.”