A new study has found that taking a popular medication could increase your risk of dementia by a staggering 79 per cent.
Dementia describes a cluster of symptoms associated with ongoing cognitive decline. According to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, there are more than 64,000 people living with dementia in Ireland
The research, carried out by the University of California-San Francisco, found that prescription sleeping medications including Benzos, Ambien, and antidepressants, may increase the risk of developing the syndrome.
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The results, published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, discovered that white people had a 79 per cent higher risk of developing dementia when on sleeping medication.
The study looked at around 3,000 older adults without dementia, who lived outside of nursing homes, for a nine-year period. Around 42 per cent were black and 58 per cent white.
During the study, 20 per cent of patients went on to develop dementia, Mirror UK reports.
It was found that white participants who 'often' or 'almost always' took sleep medications had a 79 per cent higher chance of developing dementia, compared to those who 'never' or 'rarely' used them.
Likewise black participants - whose reliance on sleeping medication was much lower – were still linked to a higher risk through frequent use.
Lead author Yue Leng said: "Differences may be attributed to socio-economic status. Black participants who have access to sleep medications might be a select group with high socio-economic status and, thus, greater cognitive reserve, making them less susceptible to dementia.
"It's also possible that some sleep medications were associated with a higher risk of dementia than others."
Researchers discovered that white people were three times more likely to take sleeping pills on a regular basis, compared to black people in the study.
This included anything from medication prescribed for chronic insomnia to 'Z-drugs' - so-called because the names of many of the first of these drugs to be marketed begin with the letter 'Z'.
The research team is now hoping further studies might be able to offer further clarity on the cognitive risks - or rewards - of sleep medications and the role that race may play.
However, Leng says patients with poor sleep should think twice before considering pharmaceutical intervention.
The researcher added: "The first step is to determine what kind of sleep issues patients are dealing with. If insomnia is diagnosed, cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT) is the first-line treatment.
“If medication is to be used, melatonin might be a safer option, but we need more evidence to understand its long-term impact on health."
Five golden rules to cut dementia risk
Keeping physically and mentally active, and getting enough sleep are among five ways to reduce the risk of developing dementia by a fifth, says a top professor.
Quitting smoking, losing weight and getting more social interaction can also help to stave off the life-altering syndrome.
While genetic factors are out of our control, renowned researcher, Prof Sir Muir Gray, says we can still help ourselves.
He said: “Dementia is a terrifying prospect, but we can all reduce our risk and should act now."
1. Keep mind and body active: avoid sitting still and take regular exercise such as walking; keep mentally fit by reading and learning something new.
2. Keep weight, blood sugar and blood pressure down: eat a diet packed with fruit, vegetables, fish, nuts and pulses.
3. Stop smoking: singly the greatest way to damage your health.
4. Sleep better and learn to relax and reduce stress: you don’t need less sleep as you grow older, but more.
5. Engage with others: become a volunteer and join online social groups.
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