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April 5 (CNN/GNA) – More than 55 million people worldwide have dementia, a number expected to nearly triple by 2050. Deaths from strokes may double by the same year, and 10% to 20% of adults experience depression later in life. While the numbers are striking, there’s a growing body of evidence showing that many of these cases may not be genetically fated, but rather could be delayed or prevented altogether by addressing health factors generally within our control. At least 17 factors contribute to dementia, stroke and late-life depression, according to an extensive review published Wednesday in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry. Addressing the 17 factors can reduce people’s risk for all three conditions. Those factors are, in no order of importance: Blood pressure Body mass index Kidney disease Blood sugar Total cholesterol Alcohol use ...

READ MORE: Pills taken by thousands are linked to dementia in new research Sleep aids taken by millions of people in the UK could dramatically increase dementia risk, a top US health expert has warned. In a recent post that has been viewed more than three million times, Dr Amy Shah implored her followers not to use products containing diphenhydramine. These include popular medications widely available in UK pharmacies without prescription such as Nytol One-a-Night, Boots Sleepeaze and Panadol Night. It is also found in a range of Benylin cold, flu and cough products. In the US, well-known brands include Tylenol PM, Unisom and allergy medication Benadryl. Dr Shah's intervention comes amid growing concern about research into the impact regularly taking drugs known as anticholinergics, which include diphenhydramine. One shocking study, published in 2015, tracked 3,500 older adults found those on the tablets for three years or more had a 54 per...

A recent study indicates that alterations in eyesight might serve as an initial indicator of dementia, potentially surfacing up to 12 years prior to diagnosis. Experts suggest that basic ocular examinations could aid in identifying the condition even before cognitive issues arise. Dementia refers to various neurological conditions that cause a deterioration in an individual’s memory, intellectual functions, problem-solving abilities, logical reasoning, among others as they grow older. This condition progressively intensifies, impacting behavior adversely. Although there currently isn’t a treatment to eliminate dementia completely, certain medications can assist in managing its manifestations. The study, published in peer-reviewed journal Scientific Reports , carried out in Norfolk, England, tracked 8,623 healthy participants over multiple years. At the conclusion of the research, 537 individuals had been diagnosed with dementia. The findings revealed that participants who...