Alzheimer’s disease can have hereditary roots but it doesn’t always result from family history, and various lifestyle factors can sway your chances of developing this neurodegenerative illness, such as head trauma and brain injuries.
The Alzheimer’s Association highlighted a sobering statistic: “When a person over 65 years old sustains a serious TBI (traumatic brain injury) in a fall, direct effects of the injury may result in long-term cognitive changes, reduced ability to function and changes in emotional health.
“Older adults who experienced loss of consciousness after a TBI were 28% more likely to report subjective memory impairment than seniors who did not experience a TBI.”
Contact sports known for their rough nature are commonly linked with elevated risks of memory issues, a hallmark symptom of Alzheimer’s disease.
But this link extends further into seemingly innocuous incidents such as minor bumps and falls.
Although the idea adds an extra layer of concern to the array of existing health anxieties, it also shows a relatively straightforward solution to cut your risk of Alzheimer’s stemming from head injuries.
As described by the association, the predominant cause of traumatic brain injuries is less dramatic than perceived; often, it’s simply a fall.
Their advice to avoid such accidents includes fixing any home hazards like loose rugs or poor lighting, utilising mobility aids if necessary, and ensuring regular eye check-ups to maintain good vision.
However, the experts emphasised that falls aren’t the sole cause of severe head injuries and urged individuals to prioritise safe driving. This includes always wearing seatbelts, adhering to traffic regulations, and ensuring their vehicles are consistently in good working order.
In addition to these, the experts recommended wearing helmets when participating in sports activities and keeping a record of any medications being taken, along with any potential side effects or interactions they might trigger.
The Alzheimer’s Society highlighted some contradictory research regarding head trauma and dementia.
It clarified that while there is an evident link, it may not be as straightforward as we assume. The connection between falls and neurodegeneration could actually be a reverse effect.
Frequent falls and issues with balance and coordination often serve as early indicators of dementia, suggesting that the head injuries incurred from these falls are a secondary consequence of the disease, rather than the root cause.