21-07-2025
Can dementia be prevented? Experts say yes - here's how to protect your brain
Experts are encouraging us to reconsider our understanding of brain health, ahead of World Brain Day on July 22.
Image: Anna Shvets /pexels
Imagine waking up one morning and forgetting the route to your favourite coffee shop. Or struggling to remember the name of someone you love.
It's a frightening thought, but for millions worldwide, it's a daily reality called dementia. Ahead of World Brain Day on July 22, experts are urging all of us to rethink what we know about brain health.
Forget the myth that dementia is simply an inevitable part of getting older.
According to Dr Patty Francis, president of the Neurological Association of South Africa (NASA), dementia is increasingly the result of decades of exposure to risk factors we can do something about
'Dementia doesn't just arrive overnight,' says Francis. 'It's often rooted in unmanaged issues like high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, depression, diabetes and even chronic stress starting as early as our 30s.'
The statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO) make it clear why this matters. Right now, around 57 million people live with dementia globally.
By 2030, this number could jump to 78 million, and by 2050, a staggering 153 million. Sub-Saharan Africa, already facing high rates of HIV and stroke (both linked to dementia), is expected to see cases rise from 2.13 million to over 7.6 million in just 25 years.
Yet experts say up to 45% of dementia cases could be prevented by making changes we often underestimate, from staying socially connected to managing medical conditions. Your everyday choices shape your future brain health.
It's tempting to think dementia only concerns older people. But the science shows otherwise. What you do in your 20s, 30s and 40s, diet, exercise, sleep, and even how often you catch up with friends, can dramatically change your risk.
A major Lancet Commission report found that tackling 14 modifiable risk factors, including hearing loss, depression, social isolation, obesity, and diabetes, could prevent or delay almost half of dementia cases worldwide.
Even something as everyday as finishing secondary education, quitting smoking, or getting regular exercise matters.
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experts say up to 45% of dementia cases could be prevented by making changes we often underestimate, from staying socially connected to managing medical conditions.
Image: Google DeepMind /pexels
'Every stage of life offers a chance to protect your brain,' says Francis. 'From maternal nutrition and childhood vaccines to managing stress and staying active in midlife."
Warning signs to watch for and why you shouldn't ignore them. Many people dismiss memory lapses or confusion as 'just ageing.'
But spotting symptoms early could change lives. Some common early warning signs include Memory loss that disrupts daily life.
Difficulty doing familiar tasks.
Problems finding words.
Confusion about time or place.
Trouble understanding visual cues.
Losing things and struggling to retrace steps.
Mood swings or personality changes.
Withdrawing from work or social life.
Problems planning or solving problems.
If you or someone you care about notices these, it's vital to see a neurologist or specialist. Some types of dementia, like those linked to vitamin B12 deficiency or HIV, can be treated or even reversed if caught early.
The everyday choices you make influence the future health of your brain.
Image: cottonbro studio /pexels
Beyond medication: the lifestyle power of prevention
While there's currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease, which is the most common type of dementia, experts highlight that early diagnosis, lifestyle changes, and treatment can slow its progression.
Medication to help with thinking and behaviour: Cognitive rehabilitation and occupational therapy
Controlling conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes
'New drugs like anti-amyloid therapies show promise,' Dr Francis explains, 'but they're expensive and not widely available, especially in lower-income countries.'
For most South Africans, early screening, education, and support remain the most powerful tools we have. In many communities, dementia is still stigmatised.
Families often keep quiet, fearing judgment. But Francis believes change starts with conversation.
'We need to see brain health the same way we see heart health,' she says. 'Prioritising it isn't just for later life, it's a lifelong investment.'
The call this World Brain Day is clear: small steps matter. Eating well, getting active, staying connected, and treating medical conditions aren't just about living longer; they're about living better, with minds that stay sharp.
Brain health isn't only for the elderly. It's for everyone, every day. By making simple lifestyle changes today, no matter your age, you could lower your risk tomorrow. Healthy brains build healthy families, healthy communities and a brighter, clearer tomorrow.
