As a health writer who has entered this area after years to fight to have my own symptoms seriously, I am not unknown to the strict differences in how men and women are diagnosed and treat – for serious medical conditions. However, this is a story for another time: today we are here to talk about the risk factors of dementia.
In fact, one common – as if it is often overlooked – conditions can increase the risk of developing dementia by two to three times, according to recent studies. But here’s what concerns me in this: this is something that is particularly insufficiently diagnosed with women.
🩺 Sign up for tips to stay healthy and fit in with the best movements, clean dishes, health trends and more delivered to your input twice a week 💊
How do I find out? Well, studies and statistics for one. But also because I am one of these women: I have diagnosed me much later in my life than I should have been.
This tacit condition may triple the risk of dementia
The condition in question is ADHD, which means that yes, I had to go through high school and college, feeling like a failure. However, as noted above, I am far alone: the boys are almost twice as much to be diagnosed with ADHD in childhood, according to CDC data. And surprisingly, this trend continues in adulthood: approximately 55% The undiagnosed ADHD cases are in women.
As for why we are talking about it now? Well, a brand new study at the University Hospital in Psychiatry in Zurich, Switzerland, looked further in the adhd-dementia relationship offers a fresh look at Why ADHD can speed up the cognitive decline with age.
Related: Women with this condition may be at higher risk of dementia as per survey
The relationship between ADHD and dementia, explained
Published in Psychiatry and clinical neurosciences, The study is based on previous studies, examining whether adhd adults show early signs of brain changes in brain decline associated with age-especially elevated levels of iron in the brain that are associated with conditions such as Alzheimer’s.
Researchers were also looking for signs of neuro -oxone damage or stress on brain wiring, which could also indicate an increased risk of cognitive decline.
To this end, researchers analyzed brain scans, blood samples and lifestyle data from 32 adults diagnosed with ADHD (average age 35; 17 women, 15 men) and compare them to a control group of 29 adults without ADHD who are similar in age, gender and education (21 women, eight men).
Connected: This common problem may actually be an early sign of dementia, according to a neuroscience
What did they find: the stress of iron and brain cells
Their discoveries? ADHD adults had significantly higher levels of iron in certain areas of the brain, especially the right centered cortex that is involved in movement and attention.
Moreover, the higher levels of brain iron were associated with higher levels of light chain of neurophiment (NFL) in the blood -subordinating the potential stress of brain cells or damage to those with ADHD. There are no significant differences in lifestyle factors such as ITM or smoking between ADHD and control groups, however, so that the accumulation of iron is not due to these factors.
Translation? While the accumulation of iron in the brain is relatively normal with age, too much in the wrong places can signal long -term problems.
Related: What should women know about Alzheimer’s risk
What does this mean to people with ADHD?
If you – or someone you love – is Adhd, do not panic: there are many ways to mitigate the risk of a cognitive decline that you can start now.
Observe your brain health.
According to the study, a proactive monitoring of brain health – especially for people with ADHD – could allow for more intervention and prevention. Talk to your doctor about receiving basic cognitive tests such as memory, attention and evaluations of the executive functions for some calm. Alternatively, you start to notice changes such as oblivion, confusion, downturns – do not ignore it. Seek medical attention as soon as something feels.
Advance on treatment if you need to.
Obtaining proper treatment is especially critical for women and other frequently insufficiently diagnosed groups. If you suspect you may have ADHD, you can greatly overlap for the right diagnosis or explanation can significantly affect your long -term brain health. Switch the practitioners if you need to.
Connected: This daily pain relief can help prevent dementia
Stay on top of ADHD treatment.
Staying on top of ADHD treatment, whether it is through medicines, behavioral therapy, or both can reduce cognitive workload and long-term stress on the brain. In fact, some evidence shows that treatment of ADHD can help reduce the risk of a future cognitive problem.
Keep your brain engaged.
Be sharp with the hobbies that challenge you. Consider learning a new skill such as playing a tool, making a crossword puzzle, or try some puzzles to boost your brain. Also, be sure to see friends and maintain a consistent social connection, as loneliness is a major risk factor for cognitive decline.
Connected: Doing this in just 5 minutes a day can reduce the risk of dementia by 41%
Protect your brain with a healthy lifestyle.
ADHD adults are statistically more likely to have cardiovascular risk factors associated with smoking, high ITM and poor sleep -and these same risk factors also increase the risk of dementia. Thus, addressing them can help both ADHD and brain aging.
Explore them with regular exercise, eat an anti -inflammatory diet in Mediterranean style, getting a quality sleep, managing stress levels, avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol. Don’t worry, not everything is so serious: you (and should) enjoy some healthy chocolate.
Next:
Connected: This super simple diet can reduce Alzheimer’s risk by 53%