One often hears terms such as Alzheimer’s and Dementia being used in the same breath. Though the two can be interlinked in some cases, they are not necessarily connected in all. 

Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia. Alzheimer’s is a specific disease. Dementia is not.

According to Alzheimer’s Organisation, Alzheimer’s is a degenerative brain disease that is caused by complex brain changes following cell damage. It leads to dementia symptoms that gradually worsen over time. The most common early symptom of Alzheimer’s is trouble remembering new information because the disease typically impacts the part of the brain associated with learning first. 

As per Mayo Clinic, Dementia is caused by damage to or loss of nerve cells and their connections in the brain. Depending on the area of the brain that’s damaged, dementia can affect people differently and cause different symptoms. 

Though for the onset of dementia, there are some causative factors like advancing age, family history, Down’s syndrome, immune disorders, diseases, Traumatic brain injury (TBI), etc. that cannot be governed by the patient, there are also those factors that can be studiously avoided so as to avert the eventuality of developing dementia.

Here’s a list of what mistakes you can avoid as per Mayo Clinic:

1. Diet and exercise: Several observational studies have shown that exercise reduces the risk of cognitive decline. A research study named EPD (Exercise for the Prevention of Dementia) has been undertaken by the Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, the University of Rome and it seeks to find an affordable and safe method to demonstrate that exercise represents a protective tool to delay the onset of dementia and the cognitive impairment in older adults at risk. Research shows that lack of exercise increases the risk of dementia. And while no specific diet is known to reduce dementia risk, research indicates a greater incidence of dementia in people who eat an unhealthy diet compared with those who follow a Mediterranean-style diet rich in produce, whole grains, nuts and seeds.
2. Excessive alcohol use: A study published by bmj.com proved that the risk of dementia was increased in people who abstained from alcohol in midlife or consumed >14 units/week. Drinking large amounts of alcohol or alcohol abuse has long been known to cause brain changes. Several large studies and reviews found that alcohol use disorders were linked to an increased risk of dementia, particularly early-onset dementia.
3. Cardiovascular risk factors: Hypertension, particularly midlife high blood pressure, has been related to a higher risk of cognitive decline and dementia, including Alzheimer disease. Risk factors include high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol, a buildup of fats in your artery walls (atherosclerosis) and obesity. The relationship between the elevation of BP in the middle age of life and the development of a cognitive decline years later is a fully studied and accepted fact. 
4. Unaddressed mental stress and Depression. A study carried out by the Departments of Psychiatry (ALB, KY), Neurology (KY), and Epidemiology & Biostatistics (KY), University of California, San Francisco, the longest longitudinal study covering 17 years of follow-up reported a 70 per cent greater risk of developing dementia with depression. Although not yet well-understood, late-life depression might indicate the development of dementia. 
5. Obesity: People who have a high BMI and central obesity are at the greatest risk for dementia (3.5 times increased risk). But, people with a healthy BMI who are centrally obese still have an estimated two times higher risk for developing dementia than people without excess belly fat, says AlzDiscovery.org. Belly fat, also known as visceral fat, can harm the brain because it produces hormones and chemicals that promote inflammation and insulin resistance.
6. Diabetes: The Mayo Clinic adds that having diabetes may increase your risk of dementia, especially if it’s poorly controlled. Diabetes can cause several complications, such as damage to your blood vessels. Diabetes is considered a risk factor for vascular dementia. This type of dementia occurs due to brain damage that is often caused by reduced or blocked blood flow to your brain. Diabetes can trigger brain changes that are hallmarks of both Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. 
7. Smoking: Smoking might increase your risk of developing dementia and blood vessel diseases.

There are other factors such as air pollution, head trauma, vitamin deficiencies, sleep disturbances, side-effects of certain medicines etc that can worsen cognitive skills and memory power. If you suffer from any of these, you need to bring that up with your doctor.

To save yourself from developing dementia:

1. Eat healthy foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and low-fat milk and cheese. Remove all vitamin deficiencies with a doctor’s help.
2. If you’re overweight, eat a healthy diet and exercise to lose weight. 
3. Don’t smoke. If you must drink, remember moderation is the key.
4. Avoid head trauma (injuries) and stay in a non-polluted environment.
5. Yoga, meditation should be added to your steps to keep depression away.
6. Sleep on time and when awake, never stop challenging your brain to learn new things. 
7. Aim to exercise for at least 30 minutes every day.

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purpose only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.