Hearing that a loved one has dementia often leads many to wonder: “Can I also get it because of genetics?” It is a very normal question and worry for most people. Are you worried that your memory might deteriorate? Or, maybe you feel restless if you cannot find your phone.
It isn’t only families around the world that are asking this question. In fact, the number of people who live with dementia is more than 55 million, and 10 million new cases are discovered each year. The statistics are quite scary. One study showed that more than two out of five people in the US, aged 55 years or older, may develop dementia during their lifetime.
However, there’s one important thing you should know: just because others in your family have dementia doesn’t mean you’ll eventually go down the same path. The story goes much further than the surface, and knowing the truth will help you feel secure for your future.
Dementia vs alzheimer’s difference
Before you can get into family associations, let’s address a common error in understanding these conditions that are often confused. Dementia and Alzheimer’s are not the same condition, even if most people use the terms interchangeably.
Firstly, ‘dementia’ refers to a group of conditions with similar symptoms. It is an umbrella term for any condition in which a person’s memory, reasoning, or personality worsens enough to cause difficulties in everyday life. Alzheimer’s is just one form of dementia, and not all dementia is Alzheimer’s.
Other types of dementia are vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and Lewy body dementia. Each dementia type has a different cause and is associated with family history in different ways.
Is dementia in the genes?
The short answer is: in some cases, but not in the way you would expect. In fact, most cases of dementia are not genetic, in the same way that your eye color is passed to you. There is just a very small part involved here. According to scientific research, these are the different types of dementia:
Alzheimer’s disease:
- The more likely a close relative has it, the less likely you are to get it.
- If several family members are affected, you have a greater chance of getting it.
- Early-onset Alzheimer’s is most often diagnosed in patients younger than 65 years of age. Therefore, the genetic influence is even greater, though it is less common.
- There is insufficient evidence to suggest that late-onset Alzheimer’s (after 65) has a stronger genetic link.
Other types of dementia:
- Frontotemporal Dementia: Inherited genetic mutations are responsible for around 40% of cases.
- Vascular Dementia: Family history of heart or stroke disease is even more important than dementia genes.
- Lewy Body Dementia: Most of the time, it is not inherited.
- Huntington’s Disease: This is directly hereditary, but it’s much rarer.
Inheriting a genetic factor does not guarantee you will get it, though. It’s similar to having a key to a closed door. You have a key that could open the door to dementia if you have it in you, but it also takes other elements (such as stress, trauma, or lifestyle) to turn that key in the lock and open the door.
Early signs of dementia checklist
Being aware of the early warning signs can help you spot dementia before it is too late, as it would be an easier way to cope with the condition. Just bear in mind that we are all prone to forgetfulness, but that dementia is more than forgetfulness. The forgetfulness associated with dementia significantly disrupts daily life.
Here are the early signs of dementia:
Signs related to memory and thinking abilities:
- Forgetting conversations or events recently taken place.
- Feeling out of place in a familiar environment.
- Having difficulty paying attention to a conversation.
- Having difficulty searching for the right words.
- Trouble with managing your finances.
- Taking more time to accomplish everyday tasks.
Signs related to behavior or changes to your personality:
- Feeling more anxious or worried.
- Feeling suspicious of family members.
- Becoming less enthusiastic about things once enjoyed.
- Trouble sleeping, or changes in sleeping habits.
- Feeling more angry or irritable.
If you are experiencing these symptoms of dementia or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, you need to see a mental health professional who specializes in the treatment of dementia, such as a board-certified psychiatrist.
If you have a neurodiverse condition (e.g., ADHD, dyslexia, autism), seeking help from a board-certified neuropsychiatrist is the best option. They are experts in identifying and treating psychiatric symptoms from a neurological, anatomical, and physiological perspective. Note that if detected and treated early, dementia disease progression can be slowed.
How to prevent dementia?
You hold the power in this matter: Although dementia may be a genetic disease within the family, you have more control than you might think. Recent research proves that living a more health-oriented lifestyle is one of the most effective ways to prevent dementia. Many studies suggest that a healthy lifestyle can actually help prevent one.
If you have a family history of dementia, take the following steps:
1. Take care of your heart health:
- Monitor the level of your blood pressure to make sure it is normal.
- If you have diabetes, regulate your blood sugar levels accordingly.
- Maintain your cholesterol levels within normal range. Since the brain and heart work as an integrated system, a healthy heart means a healthy brain.
2. Keep your brain active:
- Read books, newspapers, or magazines frequently.
- Play brain games, such as crosswords or puzzles
- Learn new skills or hobbies, or learn something new every day (e.g., cooking a new dish).
- Engaging with other people or attending classes is also a great way to maintain your brain health.
3. Be attentive to your mental health:
- If you’re feeling depressed or distressed for a long time, seek help from a mental health professional.
- Meditation, exercise, and other methods can help you manage stress.
- Make sure your sleep schedule is consistent.
4. Make healthier decisions in your lifestyle:
- Stop smoking or cut down on cigarette consumption if you have already started.
- Consume less alcohol.
- Jog or walk fast regularly.
- Eat as many fruits and vegetables as possible. Add foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids to your daily food intake.
- Maintain a healthy body weight so your brain and heart can function well.
5. Don’t forget to protect your head from injury:
- Don’t forget to wear a seatbelt when driving or wear a helmet when riding a bike.
- Ensure your home environment is safe to prevent accidents such as falls and trips.
- If you have a head injury, treat it thoroughly. Head injuries that persist into old age can be a risk factor for dementia.
6. Caregiver mental being:
Studies show that dementia caregivers often experience significant stress, as caring for a loved one with dementia can be extremely challenging. Therefore, seeking timely professional help from a mental health specialist or guidance from a dementia psychiatrist is the best option for both the dementia patient and you.
Dementia and Genetic Testing
Although genetic testing for dementia is easy, it’s not right for everyone. The results can be confusing and emotionally difficult to understand. Most genetic tests can only tell you whether you’re at increased risk for dementia, but they can’t definitively tell you whether you’ll develop dementia.
The Key Takeaway
If someone in your family has dementia and you think you might also develop it, note the following:
- Family history increases the risk of dementia, but it doesn’t guarantee risk.
- Your daily routine determines your life, not your inherited genes.
- It’s never too late to make changes to improve your health.
- Even small changes over time can make a big difference.
- You have more control over your brain health than you think.
