Top AIIMS Neurologist Reveals 3 Behaviours to Avoid If You Want to Prevent Dementia and Parkinson’s

Top AIIMS neurologist Dr Priyanka Sehrawat has listed three behaviours that you must avoid if you want to prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s at any age. Dementia is a progressive syndrome that causes a significant

decline in cognitive functions like memory, thinking, and behaviour, which disrupts daily life. While generally irreversible and progressive, symptoms may be managed, though not cured. “If you want to prevent dementia, Parkinson’s, neurological issues, watch carefully,” Dr Sehrawat said on her Instagram. According to her, the three primary things include:

Sleep issues

Not getting at least 7 to 8 hours of adequate sleep daily can lead to cognitive issues, which include an increased risk of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, primarily by disrupting the brain's ability to clear toxic waste products, specifically beta-amyloid proteins.

Top AIIMS neurologist Dr Priyanka Sehrawat has listed three behaviours that you must avoid if you want to prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s at any age. Dementia is a progressive syndrome that causes a significant decline in cognitive functions like memory, thinking, and behaviour, which disrupts daily life. While generally irreversible and progressive, symptoms may be managed, though not cured. “If you want to prevent dementia, Parkinson’s, neurological issues, watch carefully,” Dr Sehrawat said on her Instagram. According to her, the three primary things include: Not getting at least 7 to 8 hours of adequate sleep daily can lead to cognitive issues, which include an increased risk of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, primarily by disrupting the brain's ability to clear toxic waste products, specifically beta-amyloid proteins. Dr Sehrawat said chronic lack of sleep, which means sleeping less than six hours, causes these proteins to accumulate, leading to cognitive decline, brain shrinkage and increased neuroinflammation. “If you don’t want your brain cells to die, if you want your brain to function properly, make sure to sleep properly,” she said. Skipping breakfast Those who do not eat breakfast are at a high risk of cognitive decline, as it is a big risk factor for dementia. Dr Sehrawat says studies have found an association, attributed to several underlying mechanisms related to inadequate brain nutrition and overall health impacts. Skipping breakfast increases headaches, especially migraines, and insufficient glucose supply to the brain, which requires replenishment in the morning to function optimally, gets disrupted. “It only increases the risk of migraine, decreases immunity, and puts all the adults at risk of infections when they are stepping out without having their meals,” she added. Skipping breakfast also causes prolonged low glucose levels, which lead to short-term problems like brain fog, difficulty concentrating, slower thinking, and temporary memory issues. Habitually depriving the brain of consistent fuel over a long period can contribute to neurodegeneration. Sedentary lifestyle Living a lazy or sedentary life, especially when you are sitting for over 8 to 9 hours daily, only spikes the risk of brain-related issues like dementia as it restricts blood flow to the brain and causes chronic inflammation. Dr Sehrawat said it also fosters metabolic issues like insulin resistance, which contributes to reduced hippocampal volume, cortical thinning, and faster cognitive decline. “Thirty minutes of dedicated brisk walking in the morning or evening is important,” she added. How does being active lower the risk of dementia? A recent study from the University of Pittsburgh says that there is a strong link between inactivity and dementia risk. Exercise is associated with changes in brain areas like the hippocampus that are important for memory formation, such as increased gray matter in those regions. Exercise helps improve your cardiovascular health, which keeps your blood pressure and cholesterol levels regulated. Working out also reduces the risk of insulin resistance and diabetes – both of which are linked to higher dementia risk. Exercise reduces overall inflammation in your body, which also helps reduce dementia risk.

Dr Sehrawat said chronic lack of sleep, which means sleeping less than six hours, causes these proteins to accumulate, leading to cognitive decline, brain shrinkage and increased neuroinflammation. “If you don’t want your brain cells to die, if you want your brain to function properly, make sure to sleep properly,” she said.

Skipping breakfast

Those who do not eat breakfast are at a high risk of cognitive decline, as it is a big risk factor for dementia. Dr Sehrawat says studies have found an association, attributed to several underlying mechanisms related to inadequate brain nutrition and overall health impacts. Skipping breakfast increases headaches, especially migraines, and insufficient glucose supply to the brain, which requires replenishment in the morning to function optimally, gets disrupted. “It only increases the risk of migraine, decreases immunity, and puts all the adults at risk of infections when they are stepping out without having their meals,” she added. Skipping breakfast also causes prolonged low glucose levels, which lead to short-term problems like brain fog, difficulty concentrating, slower thinking, and temporary memory issues. Habitually depriving the brain of consistent fuel over a long period can contribute to neurodegeneration.

Sedentary lifestyle

Living a lazy or sedentary life, especially when you are sitting for over 8 to 9 hours daily, only spikes the risk of brain-related issues like dementia as it restricts blood flow to the brain and causes chronic inflammation. Dr Sehrawat said it also fosters metabolic issues like insulin resistance, which contributes to reduced hippocampal volume, cortical thinning, and faster cognitive decline. “Thirty minutes of dedicated brisk walking in the morning or evening is important,” she added.Also read: Dementia Could Begin in Your Legs, Warns Leading Neurologist

How does being active lower the risk of dementia?

A recent study from the University of Pittsburgh says that there is a strong link between inactivity and dementia risk. Exercise is associated with changes in brain areas like the hippocampus that are important for memory formation, such as increased gray matter in those regions. Exercise helps improve your cardiovascular health, which keeps your blood pressure and cholesterol levels regulated. Working out also reduces the risk of insulin resistance and diabetes – both of which are linked to higher dementia risk. Exercise reduces overall inflammation in your body, which also helps reduce dementia risk.