Dementia cases will rise to 132 million in 2050

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As the world continues to age, more and more people are at risk for dementia, a range of degenerative diseases of the brain. Among the many symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills, the most popular and common is Alzheimer's disease, which is estimated to affect 5.3 million Americans, according to the Alzheimer's Association. Furthermore, every 67 seconds, a person in the U.S. develops the disease, and one out of three seniors die with Alzheimer's or another type of dementia.

Yahoo News reports that this number may go up in the coming years. According to the World Alzheimer Report 2015 produced by Alzheimer's Disease International, the number of people who have dementia worldwide will grow from 47 million today to 132 million in the year 2050. Additionally, medical costs will rise, as it has been in the last five years, to $818 billion this year, 60 percent of which went to medical and institutional care.

Pam Peeke, M.D., an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Maryland and a fellow of the American College of Physicians, wrote in the Huffington Post: "High-quality sleep is essential to maintaining a clean house in your brain. A good night's sleep helps to prevent the buildup of toxic proteins that will increase your risk of dementia."

Professor Dr. Kevin King, of Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles told The Mirror: "We currently do not have effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, so the focus is on prevention."

Prevention is indeed better than cure, and The Independent recommends brisk walking for 30 to 40 minutes thrice a week, as a study suggested that this exercise helps the regrowth of brain structures linked to cognitive decline.

The Herald Journal reports that according to Harvard Health Publications, "Research shows...animals who exercise regularly increase the number of tiny blood vessels that bring oxygen-rich blood to the region of the brain that is responsible for thought. Exercise also spurs the development of new nerve cells and increases the connections between brain cells (synapses). This results in brains that are more efficient, plastic, and adaptive."

Additionally, smokers are at higher risk for dementia, so it's better to quit smoking as early as possible. The Alzheimer's Association also reports that "social engagement is associated with reduced rates of disability and mortality, and may also reduce risk for depression."