- Alzheimer’s is the leading cause of death in the UK, according to ONS data
- Alzheimer’s Research UK poll found most don’t know dementia can kill
It’s the UK’s biggest killer, claiming the lives of around 74,000 Brits every year.
But 40 per cent of people have no idea dementia can be deadly, a poll suggests.
Memory loss, slow thinking speed and difficulty concentrating are well-known markers of the disease, which is often incorrectly thought to be a natural part of ageing.
But as dementia progresses, areas of the brain that control vital functions, such as swallowing and breathing, get damaged.
Sufferers can, therefore, develop fatal complications, including pneumonia, heart problems and serious infections.
But many people are still not aware of the devastation caused by dementia, claim experts.
A survey by Alzheimer’s Research UK of more than 2,500 adults without dementia revealed that almost half fear developing dementia.
However, only a third of people believe it’s possible to reduce their risk of getting it.
This is despite research suggesting up to four in ten dementia cases are preventable through changes like cutting back on alcohol and quitting smoking.
Maintaining a healthy heart and brain, keeping active and having a healthy weight can also reduce the risk, studies show.
The survey also revealed that more than half of respondents know, or have known, someone diagnosed with dementia — most commonly a parent or grandparent.
But Alzheimer’s Research UK found there is still a huge gap in knowledge when it comes to dementia.
‘It’s shocking that just six in ten people realise dementia is a cause of death, despite it being the biggest killer in the UK’, said Samantha Benham-Hermetz, executive director of policy at Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s — the most common form — were the leading cause of death in England and Wales in 2022, accounting for 65,967 fatalities.
This was up by 4,700 compared to 2021, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Scotland logged 6,277 deaths and Northern Ireland reported around 2,000.
Women are more likely to develop dementia than men and since 2011, it has been the leading cause of death for women, according to Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Around 944,000 people in the UK are thought to be living with dementia, according to the charity.
The term is used to describe the symptoms that occur when there is a decline in brain function. There are many causes but Alzheimer’s is the most common.
Many of the diseases — which also include vascular dementia and frontotemporal dementia — are linked with an abnormal build-up of proteins in the brain that cause nerve cells to deteriorate and die, causing parts of the brain to shrink.
There is currently no cure for dementia but medicines and therapies can help ease symptoms.
However, scientists are hopeful that drugs in the pipeline that have been shown to clear the brain of the plaques thought to be responsible for dementia — such as donanemab, lencanemab and remternetug — will prove ‘game-changing’.
About a half of adults surveyed by Alzheimer’s Research UK said they are sceptical of treatments currently available, with many saying they are not effective.
But most (56 per cent) believe the diseases which cause dementia will be cured.
‘For a long time, treatments haven’t changed radically. If I went back to my clinic 20 years ago, it wouldn’t look too different from how it does today, both in how we assess dementia and what we can do about it’, said Dr Ben Underwood, assistant professor in old age psychiatry at the University of Cambridge.
But new advancements in treating dementia could ‘change the game’, Dr Underwood added.
He said: ‘In order to make more progress, we need to get the whole of society involved and encourage everyone to be part of research.
‘The more of a conversation we can have around dementia, the better.’
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
