Good news: Now, dementia can be predicted 10 years in advance
Dementia is a major cause of disability in older adults worldwide, and no effective treatment is currently available.
By PTI |
LONDON: Dementia can be predicted ten years in advance, according to a Danish study which may help prevent the disease in high-risk individuals.
The study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, provides 10-year absolute risk estimates for dementia specific to age, sex and common variation in the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene.
Dementia is a major cause of disability in older adults worldwide, yet no effective treatment is currently available, said researchers from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark.
Reduction of risk factors for dementia may have the potential to delay or prevent development of the disease, they said.
Age, sex and common variation in the APOE gene identify high-risk individuals with the greatest potential to benefit from targeted interventions to reduce risk factors.
The Ultimate Health Guide: 6 Food Items To Keep Cholesterol In Control
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By Ayush Rekha
The first step in having healthy cholesterol levels is examining your diet.
Here are some foods that can help keep your lipid profile in the desired range.
By Ayush Rekha
The first step in having healthy cholesterol levels is examining your diet.
Here are some foods that can help keep your lipid profile in the desired range.
Rich in unsaturated fats, almonds help raise healthy (HDL) cholesterol and lower the unhealthy (LDL) one.
Rich in unsaturated fats, almonds help raise healthy (HDL) cholesterol and lower the unhealthy (LDL) one.
Both green and black tea can help lower cholesterol levels. Catechins in tea are responsible for this.
Both green and black tea can help lower cholesterol levels. Catechins in tea are responsible for this.
Garlic, spring onions and other onions can be used to lower cholesterol and protect the heart.
Garlic, spring onions and other onions can be used to lower cholesterol and protect the heart.
A significant source of lycopene, tomatoes are known to reduce LDL cholesterol levels.
A significant source of lycopene, tomatoes are known to reduce LDL cholesterol levels.
Soluble fibre in barley helps keep cholesterol levels in check without affecting HDL.
Soluble fibre in barley helps keep cholesterol levels in check without affecting HDL.
Spinach contains lutein, a carotenoid antioxidant that can lower levels of bad cholesterol.
Spinach contains lutein, a carotenoid antioxidant that can lower levels of bad cholesterol.
The APOE protein is key for metabolising cholesterol and to clear beta-amyloid protein from the brain in individuals with Alzheimer's disease.
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Recently, it was estimated that one-third of dementia most likely can be prevented, researchers said.
According to the Lancet Commission, early intervention for hypertension, smoking, diabetes, obesity, depression and hearing loss may slow or prevent disease development, they said.
"If those individuals at highest risk can be identified, a targeted prevention with risk-factor reduction can be initiated early before disease has developed, thus delaying onset of dementia or preventing it," said Ruth Frikke-Schmidt, a professor at the University of Copenhagen. The study looked at data on 1,04,537 people in Copenhagen, Denmark, and linked it to diagnoses of dementia.
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Researchers found that a combination of age, sex and a common variation in the APOE gene could identify high-risk groups, with a seven per cent risk for women and six per cent risk for men in their 60s.
There was a 16 per cent and 12 per cent risk, respectively, for people in their 70s; and a 24 per cent and 19 per cent risk, respectively, for those aged 80 years and older.
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"The present absolute 10-year risk estimates of dementia by age, sex and common variation in the APOE gene have the potential to identify high-risk individuals for early targeted preventive interventions," the researchers said.
World No Tobacco Day: Smoking Can Hurt Eyes, Bones And Brain
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Most smokers believe smoking is cool. No matter how you indulge in it, tobacco is harmful to your health. Tobacco contains over 7,000 toxins and 70 known carcinogens (chemicals that increase cancer risk) and can damage nearly every organ of the body.
Dr Sachin Kumar, Senior Consultant - Pulmonology at Sakra World Hospital explains how smoking affects every part of your body.
The next time you are tempted to take a drag, just pause for a minute and think of the consequences of your indulgence.
Most smokers believe smoking is cool. No matter how you indulge in it, tobacco is harmful to your health. Tobacco contains over 7,000 toxins and 70 known carcinogens (chemicals that increase cancer r..
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Smoking usually helps smokers relax on a short-term basis. But, it comes at a huge price in the long-term. Smoking results in addiction and anxiety. It alters the brain chemistry and can increase the risk of stroke.
Smoking usually helps smokers relax on a short-term basis. But, it comes at a huge price in the long-term. Smoking results in addiction and anxiety. It alters the brain chemistry and can increase the..
Read More
Cancer of mouth and throat is common among smokers. In addition, smoking can also result in gum disease, premature tooth loss, discolouration of teeth, etc.
Cancer of mouth and throat is common among smokers. In addition, smoking can also result in gum disease, premature tooth loss, discolouration of teeth, etc.
Lung cancer, one of the leading causes of death in the world, develops due to smoking. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease which causes difficulty in breathing is another common cause of death among smokers. Chronic Bronchitis, the inflammation of the bronchial tubes which also results in difficulty in breathing, is caused primarily due to smoking.
Smoking also increases the risk of other infections like pneumonia, tuberculosis, etc.
Lung cancer, one of the leading causes of death in the world, develops due to smoking. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease which causes difficulty in breathing is another common cause of death amon..
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Smoking is one of the leading causes for heart diseases. Regular smokers, as well as second-hand/passive smokers, are at high risk of heart disease.
Tobacco also contributes to heart conditions by reducing the good cholesterol (HDL) and increasing the bad cholesterol (LDL and Triglycerides) in the body.
Smoking is one of the leading causes for heart diseases. Regular smokers, as well as second-hand/passive smokers, are at high risk of heart disease.
Tobacco also contributes to heart conditions by r..
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In men, smoking can result in abnormality of sperm, impotence, erectile dysfunction and prostate cancer.
In women, smoking can result in infertility, miscarriage, early menopause, and cervical and ovarian cancer.
Smoking can impact the future generation, and can lead to physical deformities and sudden infant deaths.
In men, smoking can result in abnormality of sperm, impotence, erectile dysfunction and prostate cancer.
In women, smoking can result in infertility, miscarriage, early menopause, and cervical and ..
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Smoking increases the risk of eye-related problems like stinging, excessive tearing, glaucoma and cataract. It can result in partial or total blindness if untreated.
Smoking increases the risk of eye-related problems like stinging, excessive tearing, glaucoma and cataract. It can result in partial or total blindness if untreated.
The kidney's main function is to clear the toxic wastes from our body. But, smoking does exactly the opposite.
It increases the chances of kidney failure, bladder cancer and other urinary tract-related problems.
The kidney's main function is to clear the toxic wastes from our body. But, smoking does exactly the opposite.
It increases the chances of kidney failure, bladder cancer and other urinary tract-rela..
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Bones provide structure to the body. Due to the toxins present in tobacco, smoking can result in osteoporosis (weakening of the bones), increasing the risk of hip fracture, spine-related problems, bone marrow cancer and also rheumatoid arthritis.
In addition to the above-mentioned problems, tobacco can also result in premature ageing, hair loss, weak immunity etc.
Bones provide structure to the body. Due to the toxins present in tobacco, smoking can result in osteoporosis (weakening of the bones), increasing the risk of hip fracture, spine-related problems, bo..
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Smoking reduces appetite. It prevents adequate nutrition to the body which makes the body weak. It can also up the insulin resistance of the body which makes people susceptible to type 2 diabetes. It also has a negative impact on the liver and intestine, and can increase the risk of ulcers in the stomach and intestine.
Smoking reduces appetite. It prevents adequate nutrition to the body which makes the body weak. It can also up the insulin resistance of the body which makes people susceptible to type 2 diabetes. It..
