Published on September 15, 2025
Brain Health & Dementia: What You Need to Know
Did you know there are over 100 types of dementia? All of them affect memory, thinking and behavior. Knowing the signs and symptoms and taking care of your brain can make a big difference.
What is Dementia?
Dementia is not a normal part of aging, nor a diagnosis. It is a group of conditions that cause problems with memory, thinking, and decision-making. Early diagnosis helps people get treatment, plan for the future, and maintain a better quality of life. As you age, it is normal to occasionally forget a name or misplace your keys, but there are ten signs that may point to something more serious and are worth discussing with your doctor.
1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life (e.g. forgetting something someone just told you)
2. Difficulty planning or solving problems
3. Struggling with familiar tasks like using a phone or taking medications
4. Confusion with time or place
5. Trouble with vision or spatial awareness
6. Problems with speaking or writing clearly
7. Misplacing items and being unable to retrace steps
8. Poor judgement (e.g. money mistakes or hygiene issues)
9. Withdrawal from friends, family, and social activities
10. Changes in mood and personality
Though some types of dementia are largely genetic, lifestyle changes can decrease your risk. Adopting 2-3 of these healthy habits can lower your risk of dementia by 37%, while taking on 4 or all 5 can reduce your risk by 60%!
- Eat a brain-healthy diet: the MIND diet was created to help improve memory, focus, and brain health as people age. It incorporates parts of the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet and focuses on fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats like olive oil while reducing salt and processed foods. Learn more
- Exercise your body: Physical activity of moderate intensity, for 30 minutes, 5 times a week, increases blood flow to the brain and decreases inflammation. Any physical activity is better than none!
- Exercise your mind: Cognitive exercise like puzzles, reading, or any kind of learning helps to compensate for any existing damage and increases your brain’s capacity.
- Avoid Alcohol: Excessive drinking can lead to eventual brain damage and can make the effects of dementia worse.
- Don’t Smoke: Smoking increases the risk of developing dementia by 45%. It is estimated that 14% of Alzheimer’s cases can be directly linked to smoking.
Types of Dementia
Like previously mentioned, there are many types of dementia that have different causes and symptoms. Alzheimer’s is most common, and its largest determinants are age and genetics, while vascular dementia is the second most common and risk factors include stroke, diabetes, uncontrolled high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and chronic alcohol consumption. Mixed dementia is more common in people over 80 and is a mix of multiple other types of dementia.
Learn more about dementia types
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Photo: ©iStock.com/PIKSEL
