We are ready to bet on your idea of a nightmare that has changed radically since the days of hiding in front of the Boogey man. Adult fears are: unable to make rent, to double the gasoline price and … to be affected by dementia. We have the data to support this last: Several studies indicate that women express greater fear of dementia than men. Studies also show that the feeling scattered or caused problems with the recall that it had early dementia. But how widespread is early dementia in women and how can you protect yourself? The experts say the following.
Dementia among women: the statistics
The World Health Organization estimates that the number of people who live worldwide will double every 20 years. By 2030 – less than five years – 78 million people in the world will live with dementia. Dementia affects a significant number of women in South Africa, whereby women make up a high percentage of cases due to the higher life expectancy and an increased susceptibility in menopause due to neurobiological changes.
And with regard to this fear of early dementia? This is a growing problem worldwide, according to a large cohort analysis 2025 published in translational psychiatry. In the study, the study also notes that the rates of early dementia (referred to by researchers describe dementia) are higher in countries with low to medium income. South Africa comes up in both categories.
Read more: Everything you need to know about dementia
Why are women more affected by early dementia?
The dementia of Young-Onet-Dement is defined as the occurrence of symptoms before the age of 65. Global and in South Africa women wear the most severe stress. Women not only develop dementia in general, but also often in younger years than men. This partly explains a longer life expectancy, but other biological and social factors are involved.
Hormonal changes, especially estrogen waste during menopause, could help, since it is assumed that estrogen protects brain cells. In combination with factors such as social stressors, the persistent role of women are played as nursing staff, and health differences are a complex interplay of risks that require targeted awareness and targeted research.
Recent studies emphasize conditions that are unique to women such as preeclampsia during pregnancy, which significantly increases the risk of early dementia. Preeklampsia is associated with vascular changes and inflammation that the brain can predispose for dementia decades later.
Read more: A new study shows that nightmares are a good predictor of future dementia
What are the early signs of dementia?
Dementia is not only overnight – it often begins with subtle changes in memory and thinking. While dementia in every person portrays, include common warning signs ::
- Memory loss that disturbs daily life
- Difficulties to perform familiar tasks
- Language problems such as difficulties in speaking or writing
- Confusion with time and place
- Problems with understanding visual pictures
- Laying things and losing the ability to trace steps back
- Reduced or bad judgment
- Personality or mood changes
- Withdrawal from work or social activities
- Problems with the justification or problem solving
- Problems with planning and organization
- Bad coordination and control of movements
- Confusion and disorientation
If you suspect that you (or someone in your life) could have dementia, get help. It is also important to stand up for yourself. A South African study in 2023 published in dementia (London) found that due to a confluence of factors, patients often recorded a delay in the diagnosis of dementia, including:
- No specific dementia services at the primary health level
- Differences in the medical training of doctors and nurses in healthcare
- Some practitioners believe that “nothing can be done for someone with dementia”.
- Some practitioners relieve symptoms in younger patients
The delay is not completely in the hands of the medical community. The study showed that people reject their own symptoms as “natural aging” and pointed out a lack of lack of education. “It is important not to” only get older “symptoms,” said Dr. Francis. “Even with younger adults, persistent cognitive changes should be assessed by a neurologist or specialist.”
Read more: “I lost my mind in the school parking lot”: An exclusive extract from Shaatterproof from Tasha Eurich
So you can prevent dementia
It is crucial that experts now know that 45% of cases are potentially avoidable by 14 modifiable risk factors in different stages during the course of life. Some factors that you cannot do much against, such as not completing secondary school formation; Others are light enough to do.
These risk factors for dementia include socially isolated and depression as well as several additional diseases such as high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes. And these last three conditions have more and more South Africans every day, although they are most avoidable and treatable with changes in the lifestyle. “The increase in dementia in [South Africa] It is deeply that we wear high loads of HIV, high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke, all of which are associated with increased risk of dementia, ”said Dr. Patty Francis, President of the Neurological Association of South Africa (NASA).
“The most powerful message that we can share is that dementia is not only about aging, but also about lifelong brain health. What we do in our thirties, 40s and 50s has a direct influence on our risk later in life,” said Dr. Francis. Although it is desirable to cope with risk factors in an early stage in life, the advantage is that the risk is concerned during life. It is never too early or too late to reduce dementia risks. “Dementia does not occur overnight. It often begins with decades of not managed risk factors such as high blood pressure, physical inactivity, obesity, smoking, smoking, poor sleep, alcohol abuse and hearing loss, which damage the brain tissue in silence. In this speech, research shows that dementia can be delayed in up to four cases in ten cases in up to four cases.”
Read more: 6 things that neurologists would never do if they wanted to protect their brain health
Brain protection measures to do now
Clean your diet
Nutrition plays a key role and can reduce the risk of chronic diseases that influence their chances of dementia. According to Dr. Francis is no longer an inevitable consequence of age, but “the result of decades of exposure to modifiable risk factors”. So load the broccoli and salmon!
Manage or broke – your lifestyle disease
Diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels: these increase the susceptibility to dementia. The nutrition mentioned above plays a crucial role, but many lifestyle optimizations move the needle from red. And when we talk about management, we also mean the other things like to lower alcohol and quit smoking.
Move more
Choose a goal – every goal – and work on it. Run a race. Swim a river. Try a triathlon. Everything helps to improve the health of the brain and heart.
Train your brain
Low levels of education are associated with dementia, since they probably lead to a less cognitive reserve for the health of the brain. The cognitive reserve is the brain’s ability to maintain the sharpness despite aging. How could the duel Voldemort sit on the Wizengamot, hold the top job in Hogwarts and protect Harry Potter at the age of 115? #Goals. While you don’t have to do all of this, it is assumed that you will remain sharp by taking your brain in order to protect the health of the brain.
Be more social
It is known that depression and social isolation have a negative impact on cognitive function. So make a date with your friends and not at the last minute deposit.
